By capitalizing on its characteristics, the armored division can rapidly and decisively attain its assigned objectives. This is normally done by a combination of fast maneuver and the rapid concentration of the division's firepower and physical mass against the enemy's most vulnerable areas before he has time to react effectively to the attack.

The 360 tanks, 714 other heavy tracklaying vehicles, and 987 22-ton and 5-ton trucks of the division place certain limitations on its employment. All interested commanders and staffs must recognize these limitations, and must make careful plans to overcome or minimize them.

The armored division has no fixed organization for combat. In its operations the task force concept is usually employed. There are three combat command headquarters. A task force is formed around such a headquarters as a nucleus, for a particular mission, by attaching to the headquarters such tanks, armored infantry battalions, and engineer, artillery, and service support as the situation requires. Similarly, battalion task forces are formed within a combat command task force, by cross attachment of tank and armored infantry companies between battalions, adding such other of the units available to the combat command task force as are needed.

The armored division is especially suited to the following types of mission

Exploitation of the successes of other units and of the effects of atomic fires, as a decisive element of a larger force. Pursuit of enemy forces.

Covering force for a higher command conducting offensive, defensive, or retrograde operations.

Striking force of a higher command which is on the defensive or conducting a mobile defense.

In conjunction with any of the foregoing, the destruction of enemy armored formations.

Special operations, such as offensive action against enemy airborne or guerrilla forces, and operations in conjunction with airborne and amphibious operations.

Operational reserve of a field army or

higher command.

THE CORPS. The next larger unit above the division is the corps. The name comes from the French "corps d'armée," meaning one of the principal bodies of troops that form an army. After adopting the divisional formation in the latter part of the 18th century, the French army also adopted a "mutually supporting system of two or more divisions integrated into a corps." Napoleon introduced the permanent corps d'armée; and since then all important ground forces have included corps in their organization. In this country they were first used during the Civil War, when both sides employed corps, or "army corps" as they were sometimes called, as major tactical units.

A corps is normally under a field army. Its nucleus is a headquarters and a limited number of organic combat support and service support troops, as follows

To this nucleus the field army commander allocates two or more divisions, plus whatever additional support troops the situation indicates. These allocated troops do not form a permanent part of the corps; they may be increased or decreased, and divisions may be shifted from one corps to another, as circumstances dictate.

The corps is essentially a tactical unit of execution and maneuver. Its commander is primarily concerned with combat operations. He normally exercises only such control over the service and administrative activities of his attached forces as is essential to accomplish his mission.

A corps may also operate as an independent unit in the field, rather than as a part of a field army. It is then known as an independent corps, and is directly under a headquarters higher

than field army, or is part of a joint force. It performs most of the combat and administrative functions normally performed by a field army. This requires the assignment or attachment of additional service and combat support units, and additional personnel for the corps staff.

A corps is designated by a Roman numeral, as "III Corps."

In the Spanish-American War we employed two corps (both of them independent); in World War I, nine; in World War II, twenty-eight. In the Korean War there were three U. S. corps, together with two corps of the Republic of Korea.

FIELD ARMY. The field army is the next larger unit above the corps.

were

In the early days of our history, all Army units in a certain area grouped under a single senior commander, and identified by a place or area name such as "Army of the Potomac." These armies varied greatly in size and organization. During World War I the First and Second U. S. Armies were organized and employed as a part of the AEF. The Third U. S. Army was later utilized as the principal unit of the American Army of Occupation in Germany. In 1932, tactical Army units in the United States were organized into field armies, whose commanders were given responsibility for the tactical training of the field forces. This was done to facilitate expansion in the event of mobilization. During the planning in 1940-1942, a "type field army" was adopted, consisting of a specified number of corps, divisions, and nondivisional units.

The following units are organic to a type field army

its mission, may differ from the "type field army" as regards number of divisions and supporting troops, number of corps, assignment of divisions to corps, etc. Its central characteristic is that it is self-contained and has the means for carrying out its tactical and administrative responsibilities.

The reinforcing units of a field army are normally allocated to its several corps prior to an operation, except for a small reserve which the field army retains. The battle is influenced, at field army level, by transferring divisions from one corps to another to increase the pressure on the enemy at the critical point.

A field army is designated by a spelled-out number followed by the word "Army," as "Third Army" (the term "field" being omitted), unless there is some reason for another designation. The following is a list of our field armies in World War II, with their principal commanders

First Army-Lt. Gen. Courtney H. Hodges
Third Army-Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
Fifth Army-Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott
Sixth Army-Gen. Walter Krueger
Seventh Army-Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch
Eighth Army-Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichel-
berger

Ninth Army-Lt. Gen. William H. Simpson Tenth Army-Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.

Fifteenth Army-Lt. Gen. L. T. Gerow First Allied Airborne Army-Lt. Gen. L. H. Brereton

Following World War II, the Seventh Army was reorganized and employed in Germany. The Eighth Army remained in the Far East and participated in the Korean War.

ARMY GROUP. The army group is organized primarily to conduct largescale tactical and strategic operations, and normally has few logistical or administrative functions. It consists of a headquarters, the necessary supporting troops, and several field armies. In some situations it may also contain separate corps and divisions. It is the largest field organization under a single commander.

The creation of army groups is especially appropriate when the number of field armies under a theater commander is so large that he must deal with an undue number of subordinates. Their collection into army groups will then facilitate the theater commander's control of his troops.

The army group commander prepares plans for an operation; allots troops and administrative support to the field armies, and to other directly subordinate elements, if any; assigns their zones of action or sectors, missions, and objectives; and coordinates their movements and efforts. Execution of the tasks is decentralized to subordinate commanders. The battle is influenced, from the army group level, by shifting major units; by reallocating combat and administrative support; by the use of support retained under army group control; and by the employment of army group reserves.

An army group, like a field army, is designated by a spelled-out number. The United States has used army groups only in World War II, when the following were organized:

Sixth Army Group, under Gen. Jacob L. Devers

Twelfth Army Group, under Gen. Omar N. Bradley

Fifteenth Army Group, under Gen. Mark W. Clark

TASK FORCE. This is a generic term for an organization established to perform a specific mission, and "tailormade" to that end. It may be composed of elements of any one Armed Service, any two of them, or all three.

In future wars, operations will be conducted over large areas and will require a rapid concentration of force from widely dispersed positions. Highly mobile task forces, which can deliver either atomic or nonatomic fire, will ideally meet these requirements.

Task Forces in Division Operations. Mobile task forces will often be used in division operations. Such a force may vary in size from a reinforced platoon to an armored division combat command or a reinforced infantry battle group, depending on the mission, the terrain, and our own and the enemy's situation. It must be entirely mobile, self-contained logistically, and equipped for complete voice radio communications. The ratio of firepower to manpower must be the maximum possible.

In the offensive these mobile task forces will execute lightning strikes against the enemy, by means of fire,

maneuver, and shock action, followed by rapid dispersion. Defensive operations will be characterized by mobile task forces operating over extended areas. Elements occupying the forward defensive area will be located to force the enemy into areas favorable to the defender. Units attacked by the enemy will block while mobile forces from reserve and adjacent positions counterattack, possibly in conjunction with the fires of atomic weapons.

The task force concept is used habitually in organizing the armored division for combat.

In World War II and the Korean War, task forces were widely used. An exexample taken at random is Task Force ELLIS, formed by the 88th Infantry Division after the capture of Rome on 4 June 1945. It consisted of a reconnaissance squadron, a tank battalion, an infantry battalion, an artillery battalion and a tank destroyer company. Its mission was to maintain contact with the withdrawing Germans to prevent the establishment of another defensive line. It accomplished this mission, and continued operations until its zone was pinched out by a juncture with the British Eighth Army about 60 miles north of Rome. At one time the task force continued to attack during the hours of darkness to intersect one of the main routes of enemy withdrawal. A colorful "tank versus tank" action ensued, resulting in a victory for the task force, the destruction of an enemy column, and the capture of many prisoners.

Joint Task Forces. A joint task force is formed under a single command from elements of two or of all three of the Armed Services. Such an organization is normally used for amphibious or airborne operations, because of the absolute need for authoritative direction, close coordination, and cooperation. The commander is designated when the task force is formed; he may be from any one of the Services which provide elements of the force. Joint task forces may be designated on the basis of the mission; for example, a Joint Airborne Task Force for an airborne operation.

In addition to the Department of the Army, the establishments and activities of the Army within the continental United States include the following— The United States Continental Army Command.

Six Zone of the Interior Armies and the Military District of Washington, with territorial jurisdiction. A great number of service establishments devoted to the housing, supply, and training of the Army, research and development, etc.

Certain agencies concerned with the defense of the United States against direct attack (such as the United States Army Air Defense Command), and with allied activities.

THE UNITED STATES CONTINENTAL ARMY COMMAND. This Command, often referred to as U. S. CONARC, or CONARC, is the principal field agency of the Department of the Army within the continental United States for accomplishing the Army's mission. It traces its beginning to an organization known as General Headquarters, United States Army, established in 1940, which later became the Army Ground Forces. For the evolution of these agencies, and their functions during and after World War II, see chapter 27.

In 1954 an Advisory Committee on Army Organization (the so-called "Davies Committee") and the Secretary of the Army recommended the establishment of a Continental Army Command to provide for the more effective direction of the Zone of the Interior Armies, to limit the number of commanders reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, and to permit operation of the Zone of the Interior Armies as truly decentralized activities. On 1 February 1955, the Office Chief of Army Field Forces was redesignated Continental Army Command with headquarters at Fort Monroe, (Va.). Its Commanding General was assigned responsibility for the command of the six armies within the continental United States, the Military District of Washington, and certain other units, activities, and installations.

As then established, and for the ensuing two years, USCONARC had only limited control over the men, money, and facilities of these agencies. The chief additional responsibility assigned to it on its creation had been in the field of budgeting and funding. Even

here, however, it was dependent on the Department of the Army for guidance in the suballocation of funds for operation of the Zone of the Interior (ZI). Its command status was therefore largely nominal and it concerned itself primarily with training and tactical operations, functioning principally as an inspector of training.

Early in 1956, plans were initiated looking to a theater-army type command. Under this concept, USCONARC would constitute a single command over the Armies in the Continental United States. It would have responsibilities for the education and training of Army forces, administrative and logistical support of the Army Reserve units and individuals and units of the Army ROTC, supervision and coordination of Combat Development activities, Army-wide, and be charged with planning for the ground defense of the continental United States. Its subordinate units would execute these functions under the Commanding General.

This concept was put into effect on 4 April 1957 by AR 10-7. Thereby the nominal command status of the Commanding General, USCONARC, was changed to that of true command. Figure 1 shows the organization of USCONARC as of 10 March 1958.

Under the formal statement of his mission contained in Army Regulations 10-7, the Commanding General, United States Continental Army Command, commands the six armies within the Continental United States, the Military District of Washington, U. S. Army, and such other units, activities, and installations as may be assigned by the Department of the Army. Within overall Department of the Army policies he directs and controls the personnel, intelligence, operation, training, logistic, comptroller, and administrative activities of all elements of his command, including the Army reserve components. He directs the Army combat development activities under the general guidance and supervision of Department of the Army, and submits recommendations to Department of the Army in connection therewith for final approval.

Specifically, he has five major fields of responsibility

Training and Readiness of Today's Army. He directs and supervises the largest military training operation in the free world. This includes the training, within the Continental United States, of hundreds of combat and combat-support units, hundreds of thousands of soldiers used in these units and as replacements in oversea units, the Army Reserve, the National Guard, the ROTC, and those individuals trained under the Reserve Forces Act of 1955. Seven major Army training centers produce more than 250,000 trained soldiers each year. In addition, more than 150,000 United States and foreign students are trained annually in some 600 resident courses in 30 Army schools, and over 130,000 other students are enrolled in nonresidence courses. In furtherance of this farreaching training activity, USCONARC annually plans and conducts largescale maneuvers and field exercises.

Development and Training of the Army's Reserve Forces (National Guard, U. S. Army Reserve, and

ROTC). In addition to commanding the Army Reserve, the Commanding General, USCONARC, establishes criteria for, and supervises, the training of approximately 400,000 National Guardsmen and is responsible for the Reserve Officers Training Corps with some 228,000 cadets in more than 700 universities, colleges, and high schools.

Development of the Army of the Future. While charged with improving the Army of today, USCONARC also has a major responsibility for developing the Army of tomorrow. To this end it coordinates the Army-wide plans, studies, field experiments, and tests from which are developed the new operational concepts, organizations, weapons, and equipment needed to keep abreast of changed technological conditions and to insure superiority over all possible enemies.

Planning for and Conduct of the Ground Defense of the Continental United States. Duties in this area include the provision of reinforcements for oversea commands, rendering assistance in disaster relief and other domestic emergencies, and preparation