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.

Command Structure

The War Department officially established ETOUSA, on June 8, 1942. Its mission was to conduct planning for the eventual retaking of Europe and to exercise administrative and operational control over U.S. forces. Headquartered in London, ETOUSA was first commanded by Major-General James E. Chaney, an Army Air Corps officer.

Related Topics:
June 8 - 1942 - James E. Chaney

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Dwight Eisenhower's had multiple command appointments; he was replaced Chaney in late June 1942, but in November he also commanded the Allied forces in Operation Torch through AFHQ. He then gave up command of ETOUSA in February 1943 to be NATOUSA. In December 1943 it was announced that Esisenhower would be Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. In January 1944 he resumed command of ETOUSA and the following month was officially designated as the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), serving in a dual role until the end of hostilities in Europe in May 1945. From February 1944, SHAEF was the operational command and ETOUSA administrative command.

Related Topics:
Dwight Eisenhower - 1942 - 1943 - 1944

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Some units were transfred between operational commands and administrative commands at different times. For example the American 6th Army Group which was set up under the Mediterranean Theater of Operations to oversee Operation Dragoon the invasion of southern France between Toulon and Cannes, but was passed to SHAEF (and into ETO) a month after the invasion which took place on August 15 1944.

Related Topics:
American 6th Army Group - Operation Dragoon - France - Toulon - Cannes - August 15 - 1944

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By the end of 1944 Eisenhower through SHAEF commanded three powerful Allied army groups. In the North British 21st Army Group commanded by Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, In the middle the American 12th Army Group commanded by General Omar Bradley and in the South the American 6th Army Group commanded by Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers. The British 21st Army Group and French elements of the 6th Army Group were not part of ETOUSA, but by that stage of the war most of the operational forces under the command of SHAEF were American.

Related Topics:
British 21st Army Group - Bernard Montgomery - American 12th Army Group - Omar Bradley - American 6th Army Group - Jacob L. Devers

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