Report of the Mission headed by

Lieutenant General Jacob Loucks Devers

To examine the problems of Armoured Force Units

In the

European Theatre of Operations

Contents

1. Conclusions and Recommendations

2. Itinerary and Narrative

3. Air Force Annex

4. Ordnance Annex

(This report was Secret and is now Declassified .)

Conclusions

1.       The M-4 medium Tank (General Sherman) is the best tank on the battlefield.

2.       The self-propelled 105 mm howitzer is the best supporting light artillery weapon on the battlefield.

3.       The same tactical principles and doctrines taught by the Armoured Force are today being successfully employed by the British Eighth Army. The British have evolved, independently in battle, methods of tank gunnery similar to the latest Armoured Force teachings.

4.       The present war is definitely one of guns. The attack is built around air, tanks and artillery.

5.       In order for ground forces to advance, hostile aircraft must be rendered ineffective.

6.       To achieve success all combat units must be able to repel tanks and low flying aircraft with their own weapons. They must have 75 mm anti-tank guns and .50 calibre anti-aircraft weapons organically assigned. Also 37 mm anti-tank guns should be provided liberally to artillery trains and similar units.

7.       The separate tank destroyer arm is not a practical concept on the battlefield. Defensive anti-tank weapons are essentially artillery. Offensively the best weapon to best a tank is a better tank. Sooner or later the issue between ground forces is settled in an armoured battle…tank against tank. The concept of tank destroyer groups and brigades attempting to overcome equal numbers of hostile tanks is faulty unless the tank destroyers are actually better tanks than those of the enemy.

8.       A higher standard of discipline of American troops must be attained.

 Recommendations

1.       That each infantry battalion include eight self propelled 75 mm anti-tank guns, that all battalions include four AA vehicles each mounting four .50 calibre machine guns.

2.       That 37 mm anti-tank guns be provided liberally to artillery trains and similar troops.

3.       That the training facilities at Camp Hood, Texas, be used to produce and train anti-tank artillery personnel for all troops equipped with anti-tank guns of 75 mm and larger calibre; surplus production, if any, be sent to tank units.

4.       That “ Tank Destroyer Battalions”, and their number limited to those sufficient for divisions and larger units.

5.       That better battle uniform including waterproof shoes be provided.