Osprey Battle Orders 17 : US Army Infantry Divisions 1942-1943

The US Army infantry division was an intricate system of men and equipment welded together by doctrine and organization into an entity that could fight, manoeuvre, communicate within itself as well as with outside entities, and regenerate itself through a supply and replacement system. This book examines the organizational development, mobilization, deployment and combat actions of World War II US Army infantry divisions up until the end of 1943. Among the units covered are the separate infantry regiments and battalions of the 'standard' type, showing how the Army's new 'triangular' infantry division (based on three infantry regiments) evolved from the earlier 'square' division (based on four). Text by John Sayen.

Contents

• Introduction
• Combat Mission and Preparation for War
• Unit Organization
• Tactics
• Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
• Logistics
• Combat Operations
• Lessons Learned
• Bibliography and Further Research
• Index