Busting the Bocage

“Busting the bocage: American combined arms operations in France, 6 June-31 July 1944” shows how the U.S. Army identified and overcame the problems of fighting in difficult terrain. The adoption of new tactics combined with technical innovations and good small-unit leadership enabled American forces to defeat a well-prepared and skillful enemy. In the hedgerow country, the U.S. Army eventually brought the separate components of the combined arms team-infantry, armor, and artillery-to bear on the enemy simultaneously. The resulting successes were costly but effective. Combat in the bocage demonstrated the U.S. Army’s capability to fight and win in anew and hostile environment.