European Theater of Operations

The European Theater of Operations, or ETO, is the term used in the United States to refer to US operations north of the Mediterranean coast, in the European Theater of World War II.

A theater of operations

The term "theater of operations" was defined in the field manuals as "the land and sea areas to be invaded or defended, including areas necessary for administrative activities incident to the military operations" (chart 12). In accordance with the experience of World War I, it was usually conceived of as a large land mass over which continuous operations would take place and was divided into two chief areas-the combat zone, or the area of active fighting, and the communications zone, or area required for administration of the theater. As the armies advanced, both these zones and the areas into which they were divided would shift forward to new geographic areas of control.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~