Battle of Arracourt | |||||||
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Part of the Lorraine Campaign of World War II | |||||||
Arracourt commemorative monument | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States | Germany | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
George S. Patton Bruce C. Clarke | Hasso von Manteuffel | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
Unknown | 262 tanks & assault guns | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
41 medium tanks 7 light tanks 7 tank destroyers[1] |
200 tanks & assault guns lost[2]
During the battle, 73 tanks were destroyed / damaged by P-47s.[3]
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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.[4][page needed]
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.[4][page needed] 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.[4][page needed]