Existing comment:
Armor in the Cold War:
At the tactical level, armored units constituted the backbone of America's ability to defend against a Soviet attack. However, post World War II demobilization reduced the number of armored divisions from 16 to one.
The 2nd Armored Division remained the only active armored formation in the Army until 1951. In that year, the 1st Armored Division was reactivated, followed by the 3rd and 4th Armored Divisions in 1955. From 1953 to 1968, these four formations constituted the bulk of the Army's active component armored spearhead. They were supposed by an additional six National Guard armored divisions. Additional armored assets were also available in the tank battalions that became organic to infantry divisions after World War II, ensuring at least a minimal armored presence wherever infantry deployed. |