Patton's vanguard
Subtitle: the United States Army Fourth Armored Division
By: Don M. Fox ; foreword by Martin Blumenson.
Publisher: McFarland
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Jefferson, N.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 484
Subjects: United States. Army. Armored Division, 4th -- History.; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Western Front.; World War, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories -- United States.; World War, 1939-1945 -- Tank warfare.
Description: "Stirring accounts of the almost legendary campaigns of the United States Fourth Armored Division, universally recognized as "Patton's Best," from its pre-World War II origins up through its famous relief of the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge, are presented in this book.

The break out of Normandy at Avranches, the isolation of the Brittany peninsula, the armored thrust across France, the tank battles at Arracourt that cemented the reputation of the Fourth Armored, the brutal struggle in Lorraine, and ultimately, the legendary drive to Bastogne are among the topics."

"The accounts were assembled through the use of original unit combat diaries and after-action reports, memoirs of key historical figures and abundant supplementary letters and documents. But the essence of the book are the firsthand recollections from members of the division gathered by the author. With maps, drawings and photographs."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 465-469) and index.
Table of contents: title: Birth; title: Baptism; title: Breakout and pursuit; title: The encirclement of Nancy; title: A legend is born; title: Rest; title: Back on the offensive; title: The relief; title: Pressing toward Germany; title: The Battle for Singling; title: Recuperation; title: The stage is set; title: Out of the mist; title: Patton to the rescue; title: Task Force Ezell; title: Nuts!; title: The Arlon-Bastogne Highway; title: Bigonville; title: Chaumont; title: Breakthrough; title: Widening the corridor; title: Hitlers last gamble; title: The aftermath.