1944’s Lorraine Campaign was the most unsuccessful and costly campaign in American military history. Despite the long and indecisive struggle in Lorraine, there was a significant number of division-level instructional actions during the fighting. Nancy was one such mission. The 4th Armored Division was responsible for the encirclement and capture of Nancy, September 1944. Although this division was powerful, it was very light. The total number of artillery pieces and tanks in the division was 54, with just under 11,000 commanders and enlisted personnel. An armored division had three mechanized units: a cavalry unit equipped with division trains; an engineer battalion equipped with light and armored tanks and heavy vehicles; and a mechanized squadron with division trains. Additionally, troops were drawn from corps and army pools. Major General John Wood led the 4th Armored Division. This was accomplished through three task force headquarters: Combat Command B, Reserve Command and Combat Command. Combat Command was also used to command and direct the unit. Wood effectively accepted 4th Armored Division’s doctrine that the Division needed bulk to exploit holes and open spaces, quick action, surprise, and mass to seize territory or defeat opposing formations. Wood was responsible for ensuring that the 4th Division was trained in and evaluated these principles during its operations on Texas, England’s Salisbury Plain and California’s main desert. The drills earned the 4th Armored Division a reputation as a unit of initiative and aggression. Wood was a master of defiance. He used to go faster and further than his superiors, interfering in set-piece training situations.