Under the Claw

In an effort to halt General Patton's Third Army as it charged across France, the German 5th Panzer Army, under the command of General Hasso von Manteuffel, launched a counteroffensive near Arracourt, in the Lorraine. Combat Command Alpha (CCA) of …

1944-09-19

LOF19

In an effort to halt General Patton's Third Army as it charged across France, the German 5th Panzer Army, under the command of General Hasso von Manteuffel, launched a counteroffensive near Arracourt, in the Lorraine. Combat Command Alpha (CCA) of the American 4th Armored Division held a thin salient near Arracourt. Elements of the German 113th Panzer Brigade, with their superior panther tanks, were ready for a fight. On the morning of September 19th, CCA's Headquarters was dangerously exposed. Neither side, however, anticipated the fog, which eliminated American air power from being a factor, but it also negated the panthers' ability to engage targets at a longer range.

Near Arracourt, France

The Battle of Arracourt took place between U.S. and German armoured forces near the town of Arracourt, Lorraine, France between 18 and 29 September 1944, during the Lorraine Campaign of World War II. As part of a counteroffensive against recent U.S. advances in France, the German 5th Panzer Army had as its objective the recapture of Lunéville and the elimination of the XII Corps bridgehead over the Moselle River at Dieulouard. With local superiority in troops and tanks, the Germans anticipated quick defeat of the defending Combat Command A (CCA) of the U.S. 4th Armored Division. With better intelligence, tactics and use of terrain, CCA and the XIX Tactical Air Command defeated two Panzer Brigades and elements of two Panzer divisions over eleven days of battle.

Wikipedia: Battle of Arracourt

American

Germany