Page "George S. Patton" Paragraph 80

Since becoming operational in Normandy on August 1, 1944 until May 9, 1945, the Third Army was in continuous combat for 281 days.

It had advanced farther and faster than any army in military history, crossing 24 major rivers and capturing of territory, including more than 12, 000 cities and towns.

With a normal strength of around 250, 000 – 300, 000 men, the Third had killed, wounded, or captured some 1, 811, 388 enemy soldiers, six times its strength in personnel.

By comparison, the Third Army suffered 16, 596 killed, 96, 241 wounded, and 26, 809 missing in action for a total of 139, 646 men, a ratio of enemy to U. S. losses of nearly thirteen to one.