Allied forces deployed on the Western Front

mikerock · Post by **mikerock** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 2:05 pm

I just finished reading "Carnage and Culture" by V.D. Hanson (excellent book about western civilisation's supremacy via its ability to wage 'shock battle.') In it, Hanson states that 522 000 soldiers were deployed in Vietnam, which he claims is more than was deployed against the Wehrmacht on the Western Front.

How many Allied soldiers were on the west front? How many were US, British, Canadian, Polish, French, etc.?

Thanks,
--Mike

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:19 pm

The poor man is somewhat confused

. Total strength of 21 Army Group (british and Canadian troops only) as of 0600 hours 1 August 1944 was 27,851 officers and 532,319 other ranks. Strength of the US First Army as of 2359 hours 6 August was 170, 875 officers and men. Strength of the US Third Army as of 2359 hours 5 August 1944 was 280,746 officers and men. Add in 12th Army Group troops and those of Seventh Army and I think you can see just how wrong he is.

mikerock · Post by **mikerock** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 5:22 pm

Thanks,

I thought that number was low.

--Mike

WT · Post by WT » Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:05 pm

I seem to remember reading that US Army Lt. Gen. Omar Bradley commanded 2,000,000 US soldiers in Europe. That included ground combat units and support units.

Ike was in charge of approximately 90 divisions in Europe. Taking 10,000 men in a division (which may be low) that comes close to 900,000 men. Add in support troops and the number would probably total 4,000,000 men.

In World War I Gen. Pershing commanded 2,000,000 US doughboys in Europe.