To What Extent Were Logistics Shortages Responsible for Patton's Culmination on the Meuse in 1944?
Abstract
On 31 August 1944, the leading elements of General Patton's Third Army crossed the Meuse at Commercy and Pont-sur-Meuse while, 30 miles to the north, a task force entered Verdun some 200 days earlier than had been anticipated. In the month since it had been declared operational, the Third Army had swept across France in a remarkable demonstration of aggression, manoeuvere, and fighting power. At this very moment, having hotly pursued the retreating German Army for more than 350 miles, Patton's mood changed from euphoria to frustration and then to despair as his armour ground to an abrupt halt for want of gasoline. In Patton's view, the failure to deliver the fuel needed by his divisions would ensure, hereafter many pages will be written on it--or rather, on the events that produced it.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA369468
Entities
People
- Peter Dye
Organizations
- Air Force Logistics Management Agency