| Twelfth United States Army Group | |
|---|---|
Insignia of the Twelfth U.S. Army Group |
|
| Active | 1944–1945 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Allegiance | Allies |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Army Group |
| Size | 1.3 million at its peak |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Omar N. Bradley |
The Twelfth United States Army Group was the largest and most powerful United States Army formation ever to take to the field.[1] It controlled the majority of American forces on the Western Front in 1944 and 1945. It was commanded by General Omar Bradley with its headquarters established in London on 14 July 1944.
The units that formed Twelfth Army Group occupied the right flank of the Allied lines during the Battle of Normandy, though until July when they were sufficiently built up they were controlled by 21st Army Group under General Montgomery.
After the breakout from the beach-head at Normandy, the Twelfth Army Group occupied the center of the Western Front. To the north was the British-led 21st Army Group and, to the south, after their breakout from the Mediterranean coast, was the Sixth United States Army Group. As the Twelfth advanced through Germany in 1945, it controlled four field armies: First United States Army, Third United States Army, Ninth United States Army and Fifteenth United States Army. By V-E Day, the Twelfth Army Group was a force that numbered over 1.3 million men.[2]