The Ninth Army came into existence in May 1944, under the command of General William Hood Simpson, himself a rather unknown but highly successful ground commander. By late August, the Ninth Army was ready to join the crusade in Europe. Known by its radio call sign "Conquer," they landed at Utah Beach, France, on August 28 and 29. They were now at war and ready for their first assignment. It entered the fray in Brittany, taking over from the Third Army. The biggest port in Brittany was Brest, and operations to capture it began mid-August, with the Ninth Army completing what General Patton had begun by late September.

A new field army --Brittany -- Geilenkirchen -- Operation Queen -- Operation Clipper -- Plans and preparations -- Operation Grenade -- The race to the Rhine -- The Wesel pocket -- Operation Flashpoint -- Operation Varsity -- Battle for the Ruhr -- On to Berlin -- To the end.