What Is Bradley's Frontline Command
Bradley did not receive a frontline command until early 1943 after Operation
Torch. He had been given VIII Corps but instead was sent to North Africa to serve under
George S. Patton. He became head of II Corps in April and directed them in the final
battles of April and May. He then led his corps onto Sicily in July. In the approach to
Battle of Normandy Bradley was chosen to command the substantial First United States
Army First Army. During Operation Overlord he commanded three corps directed at the
areas codenamed Utah Omaha. Later in July he planned Operation Cobra, the beginning
of the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. By August, Bradley's command, the
newly created 12th Army Group, had swollen to over …show more content…
Bradley's Army Group now covered a very wide front in hilly country, from the
Netherlands to Lorraine and, despite his being the largest Allied Army Group, there were
difficulties in prosecuting a successful broad-front offensive in difficult country with a
skilled enemy that was recovering his balance. U.S. First Army had difficulties in the
Aachen Gap and the Battle of Hurtgen Forest cost 24,000 casualties. Further south
George Patton's U.S. Third Army lost momentum as German resistance stiffened around
Metz's extensive defenses. While Bradley focused on these two campaigns, the Germans
had assembled troops and materiel for a surprise offensive. Bradley’s command took the
initial brunt of what would become the Battle of the Bulge.
Bradley used the advantage gained in March 1945 after Eisenhower authorized a difficult
but successful Allied offensive in February 1945 to break the German defenses and cross
the Rhine into the industrial heartland of the Ruhr area. Aggressive pursuit of the
decaying German troops by Bradley's forces resulted in the capture of a bridge across
Torch. He had been given VIII Corps but instead was sent to North Africa to serve under
George S. Patton. He became head of II Corps in April and directed them in the final
battles of April and May. He then led his corps onto Sicily in July. In the approach to
Battle of Normandy Bradley was chosen to command the substantial First United States
Army First Army. During Operation Overlord he commanded three corps directed at the
areas codenamed Utah Omaha. Later in July he planned Operation Cobra, the beginning
of the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. By August, Bradley's command, the
newly created 12th Army Group, had swollen to over …show more content…
Bradley's Army Group now covered a very wide front in hilly country, from the
Netherlands to Lorraine and, despite his being the largest Allied Army Group, there were
difficulties in prosecuting a successful broad-front offensive in difficult country with a
skilled enemy that was recovering his balance. U.S. First Army had difficulties in the
Aachen Gap and the Battle of Hurtgen Forest cost 24,000 casualties. Further south
George Patton's U.S. Third Army lost momentum as German resistance stiffened around
Metz's extensive defenses. While Bradley focused on these two campaigns, the Germans
had assembled troops and materiel for a surprise offensive. Bradley’s command took the
initial brunt of what would become the Battle of the Bulge.
Bradley used the advantage gained in March 1945 after Eisenhower authorized a difficult
but successful Allied offensive in February 1945 to break the German defenses and cross
the Rhine into the industrial heartland of the Ruhr area. Aggressive pursuit of the
decaying German troops by Bradley's forces resulted in the capture of a bridge across