OldBloodandGuts

ChasingBanditsandNaziswithGeneralGeorgeS.Patton

ContentsYoungGeorgeChasingBanditsWorldWarITankWarfarePeacetime,Protests,PearlHarborWorldWarIINorthAfricanCampaignSicilyCampaignNormandyBattleoftheBulgeAftertheEuropeanCampaignDeathPattonsLegacyReferences

IntroductiontoOldBloodandGuts

GeorgeSmithPatton,Jr.(November11,1885December21,1945)wasaUnitedStatesArmygeneral,bestknownforhiscommandoftheSeventhUnitedStatesArmy,andlatertheThirdUnitedStatesArmy,intheEuropeanTheaterofWorldWarII.

Bornin1885toaprivilegedfamilywithanextensivemilitarybackground,PattonattendedtheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute,andlatertheU.S.MilitaryAcademyatWestPoint.Heparticipatedinthe1912OlympicModernPentathlon,andwasinstrumentalindesigningtheM1913PattonSaber.PattonfirstsawcombatduringthePanchoVillaExpeditionin1916,takingpartinAmericasfirstmilitaryactionusingmotorvehicles.HelaterjoinedthenewlyformedUnitedStatesTankCorpsoftheAmericanExpeditionaryForcesandsawactioninWorldWarI,firstcommandingtheU.S.tankschoolinFrancebeforebeingwoundedneartheendofthewar.Intheinterwarperiod,PattonremainedacentralfigureinthedevelopmentofarmoredwarfaredoctrineintheU.S.Army,servingonnumerousstaffpositionsthroughoutthecountry.Risingthroughtheranks,hecommandedtheU.S.2ndArmoredDivisionatthetimeoftheU.S.entryintoWorldWarII.

PattonledU.S.troopsintotheMediterraneantheaterwithaninvasionofCasablancaduringOperationTorchin1942,wherehelaterestablishedhimselfasaneffectivecommanderthroughhisrapidrehabilitationofthedemoralizedU.S.IICorps.HecommandedtheSeventhArmyduringtheInvasionofSicily,wherehewasthefirstalliedcommandertoreachMessina.Therehewasembroiledincontroversyafterheslappedtwoshell-shockedsoldiersunderhiscommand,andwastemporarilyremovedfrombattlefieldcommandforotherdutiessuchasparticipatinginOperationFortitudesdisinformationcampaignforOperationOverlord.PattonreturnedtocommandtheThirdArmyfollowingtheinvasionofNormandyin1944,whereheledahighlysuccessful,rapidarmoreddriveacrossFrance.HeledthereliefofbeleagueredU.S.troopsatBastogneduringtheBattleoftheBulge,andadvancedhisarmyintoNaziGermanybytheendofthewar.

Afterthewar,PattonbecamethemilitarygovernorofBavaria,buthewasrelievedofthispostbecauseofhisstatementsondenazification.HecommandedtheFifteenthUnitedStatesArmyforslightlymorethantwomonths.PattondiedfollowinganautomobileaccidentinEuropeonDecember21,1945.

Pattonscolorfulimage,hard-drivingpersonalityandsuccessasacommanderwereattimesovershadowedbyhiscontroversialpublicstatementsregardingtheSovietUnion,whichwereoutofaccordwithAmericanforeignpolicy.Buthisphilosophyofleadingfromthefrontandhisabilitytoinspirehistroopswithvulgarity-riddenspeeches,suchasafamousaddresstotheThirdArmy,attractedfavorableattention.Hisstrongemphasisonrapidandaggressiveoffensiveactionprovedeffective.WhileAlliedleadersheldsharplydifferingopinionsonPatton,hewasregardedhighlybyhisopponentsintheGermanHighCommand.Apopular,award-winningbiographicalfilmreleasedin1970helpedtransformPattonintoanAmericanfolkhero.

GeorgeS.Patton

GeorgeS.Pattonasalieutenantgeneral

Birthname GeorgeSmithPatton,Jr.

Nickname(s) Bandito,OldBloodandGuts,TheOldMan

Born November11,1885SanGabriel,California,U.S.

Died December21,1945(aged60)Heidelberg,Germany

Buriedat AmericanCemeteryandMemorial,LuxembourgCity

Allegiance UnitedStatesofAmerica

Service/branch UnitedStatesArmy

Yearsof 19091945

service

Rank General

Commandsheld

304thTankBrigade3rdSquadron,3dCavalry5thCavalryRegiment3dCavalryRegiment2ndBrigade,2ndArmoredDivision2ndArmoredDivisionIArmoredCorpsDesertTrainingCenterIICorpsSeventhUnitedStatesArmyThirdUnitedStatesArmyFifteenthUnitedStatesArmy

Battles/wars MexicanRevolution

BattleofSanMiguelito

WorldWarI

SaintMihielCampaignMeuse-ArgonneCampaign

WorldWarII

Algeria-FrenchMoroccoCampaign

TunisiaCampaignSicilyCampaignLorraineCampaignArdennesCampaignRhinelandCampaignCentralEuropeCampaign

Awards DistinguishedServiceCross(2)DistinguishedServiceMedal(3)SilverStar(2)LegionofMeritBronzeStarPurpleHeartOrderofLeopold(GrandOfficer)BelgianCroixdeguerre(Palm)OrderoftheWhiteLionCzechoslovakWarCrossLegionofHonour(Commander)

CroixdeguerreOrderofAdolpheofNassau(GrandCross)LuxembourgWarCrossOrderofOuissamAlaouite(GrandCross)OrderofKutuzov(1stClass)OrderoftheBath(Companion)OrderoftheBritishEmpire(KnightCommander)

Relations MajorGeneralGeorgePattonIV(son)GeneralJohnK.Waters(soninlaw)

Signature

YoungGeorgeGeorgeSmithPattonJr.wasbornonNovember11,1885inSanGabriel,California,toGeorgeSmithPattonSr.andhiswifeRuthWilson.Pattonhadayoungersister,Anne.ThefamilywasofIrish,Scotch-Irish,andEnglishancestryandhadanextensivemilitarybackground.HispaternalgrandfatherwasGeorgeSmithPattonwhocommandedthe22ndVirginiaInfantryintheCivilWarandwaskilledintheThirdBattleofWinchester,whilehisgreatuncleWallerT.PattonwaskilledinPickettsChargeduringtheBattleofGettysburg.PattonalsodescendedfromHughMercer,whohadbeenkilledintheBattleofPrincetonduringtheAmericanRevolution.PattonsfathergraduatedfromtheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute(VMI),butdidnotpursueamilitarycareer,insteadbecomingalawyerandlaterthedistrictattorneyofLosAngelesCounty.PattonsmaternalgrandfatherwasBenjaminDavisWilson,whohadbeenMayorofLosAngelesandasuccessfulmerchant.HewaspopularamongtheSpanish-speakingfoundersofmodernLosAngeles,whoaffectionatelycalledhimBenito,theSpanishforBenjamin.MountWilsonintheSanGabrielMountainsaboveSanMarino,isnamedafterhim.Thefamilywasprosperous,andGeorgePattonlivedaprivilegedchildhoodonthefamilys2,000-acre(810ha)estate.

PattonatVirginiaMilitaryInstitute

Asachild,Pattonhaddifficultylearningtoreadandwrite,buteventuallyovercamethisandwasknowninhisadultlifetobeanavidreader.Hewastutoredfromhomeuntiltheageofeleven,whenhewasenrolledinStephenClarksSchoolforBoys,aprivateschoolinPasadena,forsixyears.Pattonwasdescribedasanintelligentboyandwaswidelyreadonclassicalmilitaryhistory,particularlytheexploitsofJuliusCaesar,JoanofArc,NapoleonBonaparte,andScipioAfricanusaswellasfamilyfriendJohnSingletonMosby.Hewasalsoadevotedhorsebackrider.DuringafamilysummertriptoCatalinaIslandin1902,PattonmetBeatriceBanningAyer,thedaughterofBostonindustrialistFrederickAyer.ThetwowedonMay26,1910inBeverlyFarms,Massachusetts.Theyhadthreechildren,BeatriceSmith(bornMarch1911),RuthEllen

(bornFebruary1915),andGeorgePattonIV(bornDecember1923).

Pattonneverseriouslyconsideredacareerotherthanthemilitary,soin1902,hewrotealettertoSenatorThomasR.BardseekinganappointmenttotheUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademy.BardrequiredPattontocompleteanentranceexam.Fearingthathewouldperformpoorlyinthisexam,PattonandhisfatherappliedtoseveraluniversitieswithReserveOfficersTrainingCorpsprograms.PattonwasacceptedtoPrincetonUniversitybuteventuallydecidedontheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute.HeattendedVMIfrom1903to1904andstruggledwithreadingandwritingbutperformedexceptionallyinuniformandappearanceinspectionaswellasmilitarydrill,earningtheadmirationoffellowcadetsandtherespectofupperclassmen.WhileatVMI,PattonbecameamemberoftheKappaAlphaOrderfraternity.OnMarch3,1904,afterPattoncontinuedletter-writingandgoodperformanceintheentranceexam,BardrecommendedhimforWestPoint.

InhisplebeyearatWestPoint,Pattonadjustedeasilytotheroutine.Still,hisacademicperformancewassopoorthathewasforcedtorepeathisfirstyearafterfailingmathematics.Studyingthroughouthissummerbreak,Pattonreturnedandshowedsubstantialacademicimprovement.Fortheremainderofhiscareerattheacademy,Pattonexcelledatmilitarydrillsthoughhisacademicperformanceremainedaverage.Hewascadetsergeantmajorhisjunioryear,andcadetadjutanthissenioryear.Healsojoinedthefootballteambutinjuredhisarmandceasedplayingonseveraloccasions,insteadtryingoutfortheSwordTeamandtrackandfield,quicklybecomingoneofthebestswordsmenattheacademy.Pattongraduatedfromtheacademyranked46outof103.HewascommissionedasasecondlieutenantinthecavalryonJune11,1909.

LifeAsaJuniorOfficerPattonsfirstpostingwaswiththe15thCavalryatFortSheridan,Illinois,whereheestablishedhimselfasahard-drivingleaderwhoimpressedsuperiorswithhisdedication.Inlate1911,PattonandhisfamilytransferredtoFortMyer,Virginia,wheremanyoftheArmysseniorleaderswerestationed.BefriendingSecretaryofWarHenryL.Stimson,Pattonservedashisaideatsocialfunctionsontopofhisregulardutiesasquartermasterforhistroop.

Forhisskillwithrunningandfencing,PattonwasselectedastheArmysentryforthefirst-evermodernpentathlonforthe1912OlympicGamesinStockholm,Sweden.Of42competitors,Pattonplacedtwenty-firstonthepistolrange,seventhinswimming,fourthinfencing,sixthintheequestriancompetition,andthirdinthefootrace,foranoverallfinishoffifthplace,beingthetopnon-Swedishfinisher.TherewassomecontroversyconcerningPattonsperformanceinthepistolshootingcompetition.Heuseda.38caliberpistol,whilemostoftheothercompetitorschose.22caliberfirearms.Heclaimedthattheholesinthepaperfromhisearlyshotsweresolargethatsomeofhislaterbulletspassedthroughthem,butthejudgesdecidedhemissedthetargetcompletelyonce.Moderncompetitionsonthislevelfrequentlynowemployamovingbackgroundtospecificallytrackmultipleshotsthroughthesamehole.Ifhisassertionwascorrect,PattonwouldlikelyhavewonanOlympicmedalintheevent.Thejudgesrulingwasupheld.

Thehighspiritofsportsmanshipandgenerositymanifestedthroughoutspeaksvolumesforthecharacteroftheofficersofthepresentday.TherewasnotasingleincidentofaprotestoranyunsportsmanlikequibblingorfightingforpointswhichImaysay,marredsomeoftheotherciviliancompetitionsattheOlympicGames.Eachmandidhisbestandtookwhatfortunesentthemlikeatruesoldier,andattheendweallfeltmorelikegoodfriendsandcomradesthanrivalsinaseverecompetition,yetthisspiritoffriendshipinnomannerdetractedfromthezealwithwhichallstroveforsuccess.

Followingthe1912Olympics,PattontraveledtoSaumur,France,wherehelearnedfencingtechniquesfromAdjutantCharlesClry,aFrenchmasterofarmsandinstructoroffencingatthecavalryschoolthere.BringingtheselessonsbacktoFortMeyerwithhim,PattonredesignedsabercombatdoctrinefortheU.S.cavalry,favoringthrustingattackswiththeswordoverthestandardslashingmaneuveranddesigninganewswordforsuchattacks.PattonwastemporarilyassignedtotheOfficeoftheArmyChiefofStaff,andin1913,thefirst20,000oftheModel1913CavalrySaberpopularlyknownasthePattonswordwereordered.PattonthenreturnedtoSaumurtolearnadvancedtechniquesbeforebringinghisskillstotheMountedServiceSchoolatFortRiley,Kansas,wherehewouldbebothastudentandafencinginstructor.HewasthefirstArmyofficertobedesignatedMasteroftheSword,atitledenotingtheschoolstopinstructorinswordsmanship.ArrivinginSeptember1913,hetaughtfencingtoothercavalryofficers,manyofwhomwereseniortohiminrank.PattongraduatedfromthisschoolinJune1915.Hewasoriginallyintendedtoreturntothe15thCavalry,whichwasboundforthePhilippines.Fearingthisassignmentwoulddead-endhiscareer,PattontraveledtoWashington,D.C.during11daysofleaveandconvincedinfluentialfriendstoarrangeareassignmentforhimtothe8thCavalryatFortBliss,Texas,anticipatingthatinstabilityin

Mexicomightboiloverintoafull-scalecivilwar.Inthemeantime,Pattonwasselectedtoparticipateinthe1916SummerOlympics,butthoseGameswerecancelledduetoWorldWarI.

ChasingBandits

1915DodgeBrothersModel30-35touringcar.ThismodelfromthenewDodgeBrotherscompanywonsomerenownforitsdurabilitybecauseofitsuseinthePershingexpeditionandthe1916Pattonfight.

In1915PattonwasassignedtoborderpatroldutywithACompanyofthe8thCavalry,basedinSierraBlanca.Duringhistimeinthisroughbordertown,PattontooktowearinghisM1911Colt.45inhisbeltratherthanaholster,emulatingacowboyimage.Thisfirearmdischargedonenightinasaloon,soheswappeditforanivory-handledColtSingleActionArmyrevolver,aweaponthatwouldlaterbecomeaniconofPattonsimage.HetransferredtoFortLeonardWood,Missouri,forabrieftimelaterin1915.

InMarch1916MexicanforcesloyaltoPanchoVillacrossedintoNewMexicoandraidedthebordertownofColumbus.TheviolenceinColumbuskilledseveralAmericans.Inresponse,theU.S.launchedapunitiveexpeditionintoMexicoagainstVilla.Chagrinedtodiscoverthathisunitwouldnotparticipate,PattonappealedtoexpeditioncommanderJohnJ.Pershing,andwasnamedaspersonalaidetoPershingfortheexpedition.ThismeantPattonwouldhavesomeroleinorganizingtheeffort,andhiseagernessanddedicationtothetaskimpressedPershing.PattonmodeledmuchofhisleadershipstyleafterPershing,whofavoredstrong,decisiveleadershipandcommandingfromthefront.Asanaide,PattonoversawthelogisticsofPershingstransportationandactedashispersonalcourier.

Inmid-April,PattonaskedPershingfortheopportunitytocommandtroops,andwasattachedtoTroopCofthe13thCavalrytoassistinthemanhuntforVillaandhissubordinates.PattonsfirstexperiencewithcombatcameonMay14,1916inwhatwouldbecomethefirstmotorizedattackinthehistoryofU.S.warfare.Patton,leadingaforceoftensoldiersandtwocivilianguideswiththe6thInfantryinthreeDodgetouringcars,surprisedthreeofVillasmenduringaforagingexpedition,killingJulioCrdenasandtwoofhisguards.ItwasnotclearifPattonpersonallykilledanyofthethreemen,buthewasknowntohavewoundedallthree.TheincidentgarneredPattonbothPershingsgoodfavorandwidespreadmediaattentionasabanditkiller.Shortlyafter,hewaspromotedtofirstlieutenantwhileapartofthe10thCavalryonMay23,1916.PattonremainedinMexicountiltheendoftheyear.PresidentWoodrowWilsonforbadetheexpeditionfromconductingaggressivepatrolsdeeperintoMexico,sotheyremainedencampedformuchofthattime.InOctoberPattonbrieflyreturnedtoCaliforniaafterbeingburnedbyanexplodinggaslamp.HereturnedfromtheexpeditionpermanentlyinFebruary1917.

WorldWarITankWarfare

PattoninFrancein1918withaRenaultFTlighttank

Followingtheexpedition,PattonwasinitiallydetailedtoFrontRoyal,Virginia,tooverseehorseprocurementfortheArmy,butPershingintervenedonhisbehalf.AftertheU.S.enteredWorldWarI,andPershingwasnamedcommanderoftheAmericanExpeditionaryForces(AEF),Pattonrequestedtojoinhisstaff.PattonwaspromotedtocaptainonMay15,1917andleftforEurope,amongthe180menofPershingsadvancepartywhichdepartedMay28andarrivedinLiverpoolon8June.TakenasPershingspersonalaide,PattonoversawthetrainingofAmericantroopsinParisuntilSeptember,thenmovedtoChaumontandassignedasapostadjutant,commandingtheheadquarterscompanyoverseeingthebase.Pattonwasdissatisfiedwiththepostandbegantotakeaninterestintanks,asPershingsoughttogivehimcommandofaninfantrybattalion.Whileinahospitalforjaundice,PattonmetColonelFoxConner,whoencouragedhimtoworkwithtanksoverinfantry.

OnNovember10,1917PattonwasassignedtoestablishtheAEFLightTankSchool.HeleftParisandreportedtotheFrenchArmystanktrainingschoolatChamplieunearOrrouy,wherehedroveaRenaultFTchardassautlighttank,testingitstrench-crossingability.HealsovisitedaRenaultfactorytoobservethetanksbeingmanufactured.OnNovember20,atCambrai,theBritishlaunchedwhatwasthenthelargesttankbattleofthewar.AttheconclusionofhistouronDecember1,PattonwenttoAlbert,30miles(48km)fromCambrai,tobebriefedontheresultsofthisattackbythechiefofstaffoftheBritishTankCorps,ColonelJ.F.C.Fuller.PattonwaspromotedtomajoronJanuary26,1918.HereceivedthefirsttentanksonMarch23,1918attheTankSchoolatLangres,Haute-Marnedpartement.Theonlysoldierwithtank-drivingexperience,Pattonpersonallybackedsevenofthetanksoffthetrain.Inthepost,Pattontrainedtankcrewstooperateinsupportofinfantry,andpromoteditsacceptanceamongreticentinfantryofficers.HewaspromotedtolieutenantcolonelonApril3,1918,andattendedtheArmyGeneralStaffCollegeinLangres.

InAugust1918,hewasplacedinchargeoftheU.S.1stProvisionalTankBrigade(re-designatedthe304thTankBrigadeonNovember6,1918).PattonsLightTankBrigadewaspartofColonelSamuelRockenbachsTankCorps,partoftheFirstUnitedStatesArmy.PersonallyoverseeingthelogisticsofthetanksintheirfirstcombatusebyU.S.forces,andreconnoiteringthetargetareafortheirfirstattackhimself,Pattonorderedthat

noU.S.tankbesurrendered.PattoncommandedAmerican-crewedRenaultFTtanksattheBattleofSaint-Mihiel,leadingthetanksfromthefrontformuchoftheirattack,whichbeganonSeptember12.HewalkedinfrontofthetanksintotheGerman-heldvillageofEssey,androdeontopofatankduringtheattackintoPannes,seekingtoinspirehismen.

PattonsbrigadewasthenmovedtosupportU.S.ICorpsintheMeuse-ArgonneOffensiveonSeptember26.Hepersonallyledatroopoftanksthroughthickfogastheyadvanced5miles(8km)intoGermanlines.Around09:00,PattonwaswoundedintheleftthighwhileleadingsixmenandatankinanattackonGermanmachinegunsnearthetownofCheppy.Hisorderly,PrivateFirstClassJoeAngelo,savedPattonforwhichhewaslaterawardedtheDistinguishedServiceCross.Pattoncommandedthebattlefromashellholeforanotherhourbeforebeingevacuated.Hestoppedatarearcommandposttosubmithisreportbeforeheadingtoahospital.SerenoE.Brett,commanderoftheU.S.326thTankBattalion,tookcommandofthebrigadeinPattonsabsence.Whilerecuperatingfromhiswound,PattonwaspromotedtocolonelintheTankCorpsoftheU.S.NationalArmyonOctober17.HereturnedtodutyonOctober28butsawnofurtheractionbeforehostilitiesendedwiththearmisticeofNovember11,1918.ForhisactionsinCheppy,PattonreceivedtheDistinguishedServiceCross.Forhisleadershipofthebrigadeandtankschool,hewasawardedtheDistinguishedServiceMedal.HewasalsoawardedthePurpleHeartforhiscombatwoundsafterthedecorationwascreatedin1932.

Peacetime,Protests,PearlHarbor

PattonasatemporarycolonelatCampMeade,Maryland,1919

PattonleftFranceforNewYorkCityonMarch2,1919.AfterthewarhewasassignedtoCampMeade,Maryland,andrevertedtohispermanentrankofcaptainonJune30,1920,thoughhewaspromotedtomajoragainthenextday.PattonwasgiventemporarydutyinWashingtonD.C.thatyeartoserveonacommitteewritingamanualontankoperations.Inthistimehedevelopedabeliefthattanksshouldnotbeusedasinfantrysupport,butratherasanindependentfightingforce.PattonsupportedtheM1919tankdesigncreatedbyJ.WalterChristie,aprojectwhichwasshelvedduetofinancialconsiderations.WhileondutyinWashington,D.C.,in1919,PattonmetDwightD.Eisenhower,whowouldplayanenormousroleinPattonsfuturecareer.DuringandfollowingPattonsassignmentinHawaii,heandEisenhowercorrespondedfrequently.PattonsentEisenhowernotesandassistancetohelphimgraduatefromtheGeneralStaffCollege.WithChristie,Eisenhower,andahandfulofotherofficers,Pattonpushedformoredevelopmentofarmoredwarfareintheinterwarera.ThesethoughtsresonatedwithSecretaryofWarDwightDavis,butthelimitedmilitarybudgetandprevalenceofalready-establishedInfantryandCavalrybranchesmeanttheU.S.wouldnotdevelopitsarmoredcorpsmuchuntil1940.

OnSeptember30,1920herelinquishedcommandofthe304thTankBrigadeandwasreassignedtoFortMyerascommanderof3rdSquadron,3rdCavalry.Patton,loathingdutyasapeacetimestaffofficer,spentmuchtimewritingtechnicalpapersandgivingspeechesonhiscombatexperiencesattheGeneralStaffCollege.From1922tomid-1923heattendedtheFieldOfficersCourseattheCavalrySchoolatFortRiley,thenheattendedtheCommandandGeneralStaffCollegefrommid-1923tomid-1924,graduating25thoutof248.InAugust1923,PattonsavedseveralchildrenfromdrowningwhentheyfelloffayachtduringaboatingtripoffSalem,Massachusetts.HewasawardedtheSilverLifesavingMedalforthisaction.HewastemporarilyappointedtotheGeneralStaffCorpsinBoston,Massachusetts,beforebeingreassignedasG-1andG-2oftheHawaiian

DivisionatSchofieldBarracksinHonoluluinMarch1925.DuringhistimeinHawaii,Pattonwaspartofthemilitaryunitsresponsibleforthedefenseoftheislands,andwroteaplancalledSurprise,whichanticipatedanairraidagainstPearlHarbor,fourteenyearsbeforetheattackbytheImperialJapaneseNavyonDecember7,1941.

PattonwasmadeG-3oftheHawaiianDivisionforseveralmonths,beforebeingtransferredinMay1927totheOfficeoftheChiefofCavalryinWashington,D.C.,wherehebegantodeveloptheconceptsofmechanizedwarfare.Ashort-livedexperimenttomergeinfantry,cavalryandartilleryintoacombinedarmsforcewascancelledafterU.S.Congressremovedfunding.Pattonleftthisofficein1931,returnedtoMassachusettsandattendedtheArmyWarCollege,becomingaDistinguishedGraduateinJune1932.

InJuly1932,Pattonwasexecutiveofficerofthe3rdCavalry,whichwasorderedtoWashingtonbyArmyChiefofStaffGeneralDouglasMacArthur.Pattontookcommandofthe600troopsofthe3rdCavalry,andonJuly28,MacArthurorderedPattonstroopstoadvanceonprotestingveteransknownastheBonusArmywithteargasandbayonets.PattonwasdissatisfiedwithMacArthursconductasherecognizedthelegitimacyoftheveteranscomplaintsandhadhimselfearlierrefusedtoissuetheordertoemployarmedforcetodispersetheveterans.Pattonlaterstatedthat,thoughhefoundthedutymostdistasteful,healsofeltthatputtingthemarchersdownpreventedaninsurrectionandsavedlivesandproperty.Hepersonallyledthe3rdCavalrydownPennsylvaniaAvenuedispersingtheprotesters.Pattonalsoencounteredhisformerorderlyasoneofthemarchers,andforciblyorderedhimaway,fearingsuchameetingmightmaketheheadlines.

PattonwaspromotedtolieutenantcolonelintheregularArmyonMarch1,1934,andwastransferredtotheHawaiianDivisioninearly1935toserveasG-2.Depressedatthelackofprospectsfornewconflict,Pattontooktodrinkingheavilyandbeganseveralextra-maritalaffairs,includingonewithhis21-year-oldniecebymarriage,JeanGordon.

Pattoncontinuedplayingpoloandsailinginthistime.AftersailingbacktoLosAngelesforextendedleavein1937,hewaskickedbyahorseandfracturedhisleg.Pattondevelopedphlebitisfromtheinjury,whichnearlykilledhim.TheincidentalmostforcedPattonoutofactiveservice,butasix-monthadministrativeassignmentintheAcademicDepartmentattheCavalrySchoolatFortRileyhelpedhimtorecover.PattonwaspromotedtocolonelonJuly24,1938andgivencommandofthe5thCavalryatFortClark,Texas,forsixmonths,apostherelished,buthewasreassignedtoFortMyeragaininDecemberascommanderofthe3rdCavalry.There,hemetArmyChiefofStaffGeorgeC.Marshall,whowassoimpressedwithhimthatMarshallconsideredPattonaprimecandidateforflagofficerrankinthearmedforces.Still,inpeacetime,hewouldremainacoloneltostayeligibleforcommandofaregiment.

WorldWarIIFollowingtheinvasionofPolandandtheoutbreakofWorldWarIIinEuropein1939,theU.S.militaryenteredaperiodofmobilization,andPattonsoughttobuildupthepowerofU.S.armoredforces.DuringmaneuverstheThirdUnitedStatesArmyconductedin1940,Pattonservedasanumpire,wherehemetAdnaR.Chaffee,Jr.andthetwoformulatedrecommendationstodevelopanarmoredforce.Chaffeewasnamedcommanderofthisforce,andcreatedtheU.S.1stArmoredDivisionandU.S.2ndArmoredDivisionaswellasthefirstcombinedarmsdoctrine.HenamedPattoncommanderofthe2ndArmoredBrigade,2ndArmoredDivision.Thedivisionwasoneoffeworganizedasaheavyformationwithalargenumberoftanks,andPattonwasinchargeofitstraining.PattonwaspromotedtobrigadiergeneralonOctober2,madeactingdivisioncommanderinNovember,andonApril4,1941waspromotedagaintomajorgeneralandmadedivisioncommanderofthe2ndArmoredDivision.AsChaffeesteppeddownfromcommandoftheU.S.IArmoredCorps,PattonbecamethemostprominentfigureinU.S.armordoctrine,stagingahigh-profilemassexercisedriving1,000tanksandvehiclesfromColumbus,Georgia,toPanamaCity,Florida,andbackinDecember1940,andagainwithhisentiredivisionof1,300vehiclesthenextmonth.Pattonearnedapilotslicenseandduringthesemaneuversheobservedthemovementsofhisvehiclesfromtheairtofindwaystodeploythemeffectivelyincombat.HisexploitsearnedhimaspotonthecoverofLifeMagazinethatyear.

PattonledthedivisionduringtheTennesseeManeuversinJune1941,andwaslaudedforhisleadership,executing48hoursworthofplannedobjectivesinonlynine.DuringtheSeptemberLouisianaManeuvers,hisdivisionwaspartofthelosingRedArmyinPhaseI,butinPhaseIIwasassignedtotheBlueArmy.Hisdivisionexecuteda400-mile(640km)endrunaroundtheRedArmyandcapturedShreveport,Louisiana.DuringtheOctoberNovemberCarolinaManeuvers,PattonsdivisioncapturedHughDrum,commanderoftheopposingarmy.OnJanuary15,1942hewasgivencommandofIArmoredCorps,andthenextmonthestablishedtheDesertTrainingCenterintheImperialValleytoruntrainingexercises.Hecommencedtheseexercisesinlate1941andcontinuedthemintothesummerof1942.Pattonchosea10,000-acre(40km2)expanseofdesertareaabout50miles(80km)southeastofPalmSprings.Fromhisfirstdaysasacommander,Pattonstronglyemphasizedtheneedforarmoredforcestostayinconstantcontactwithopposingforces.HisinstinctivepreferenceforoffensivemovementwastypifiedbyananswerPattongavetowarcorrespondentsina1944pressconference.InresponsetoaquestiononwhethertheThirdArmysrapidoffensiveacrossFranceshouldbeslowedtoreducethenumberofU.S.casualties,Pattonreplied,Wheneveryouslowanythingdown,youwastehumanlives.Duringthewar,PattonacquiredthenicknameOldBloodandGuts,becauseofhisenthusiasmforbattle;soldiersunderhiscommandattimesquipped,ourblood,hisguts.Still,hewasknowntobeadmiredwidelybythemenunderhischarge.PattonwasalsoknownsimplyasTheOldManamonghistroops.

NorthAfricanCampaign

Patton(left)withRearAdmiralHenryKentHewittaboardUSSAugusta,offthecoastofNorthAfrica,inNovember1942

UnderEisenhower,PattonwasassignedtohelpplantheinvasionofFrenchNorthAfricaaspartofOperationTorchinthesummerof1942.PattoncommandedtheWesternTaskForce,consistingof33,000menin100ships,inlandingscenteredaroundCasablanca,Morocco.Thelandings,whichtookplaceonNovember8,1942,wereopposedbyVichyFrenchforces,butPattonsmenquicklygainedabeachhead.andpushedthroughfierceresistance.CasablancafellonNovember11andPattonnegotiatedanarmisticewithFrenchGeneralCharlesNogus.TheSultanofMoroccowassoimpressedthathepresentedPattonwiththeOrderofOuissamAlaouite,withthecitationLesLionsdansleurstanirestremblentenlevoyantapprocher(Thelionsintheirdenstrembleathisapproach).PattonoversawtheconversionofCasablancaintoamilitaryportandhostedtheCasablancaConferenceinJanuary1943.

OnMarch6,1943,followingthedefeatoftheU.S.IICorpsbytheGermanAfrikaKorpsattheBattleoftheKasserinePass,PattonreplacedMajorGeneralLloydFredendallascommanderoftheIICorpsandwaspromotedtolieutenantgeneral.Soonthereafter,hehadOmarBradleyreassignedtohiscorpsasitsdeputycommander.Withorderstotakethebatteredanddemoralizedformationintoactionin10daystime,Pattonimmediatelyintroducedsweepingchanges,orderingallsoldierstowearclean,pressedandcompleteuniforms,establishingrigorousschedules,andrequiringstrictadherencetomilitaryprotocol.Hecontinuouslymovedthroughoutthecommandtalkingwithmen,seekingtoshapethemintoeffectivesoldiers.Hepushedthemhard,andsoughttorewardthemwellfortheiraccomplishments.HisuncompromisingleadershipstyleisevidencedbyhisordersforanattackonahillpositionnearGafsawhicharereportedtohaveendedIexpecttoseesuchcasualtiesamongofficers,particularlystaffofficers,aswillconvincemethataseriousefforthasbeenmadetocapturethisobjective.

Pattonstrainingwaseffective,andonMarch17,theU.S.1stInfantryDivisiontookGafsa,winningtheBattleofElGuettar,andpushingaGermanandItalianarmoredforcebacktwice.Inthemeantime,onApril5,heremovedMajorGeneralOrlandoWard,thecommanderofthe1stArmoredDivision,afteritslacklusterperformanceatMaknassyagainstnumericallyinferiorGermanforces.AdvancingonGabs,PattonscorpspressuredtheMarethLine.Duringthistime,hereportedtoBritish

ArmycommanderHaroldAlexander,andcameintoconflictwithAirViceMarshalArthurConinghamaboutthelackofcloseairsupportbeingprovidedforhistroops.WhenConinghamdispatchedthreeofficerstoPattonsheadquarterstopersuadehimthattheBritishwereprovidingampleairsupport,theycameunderGermanairattackmid-meeting,andpartoftheceilingofPattonsofficecollapsedaroundthem.SpeakinglateroftheGermanpilotswhohadstruck,Pattonremarked,ifIcouldfindthesonsofbitcheswhoflewthoseplanes,Idmaileachofthemamedal.BythetimehisforcereachedGabs,theGermanshadabandonedit.HethenrelinquishedcommandofIICorpstoBradley,andreturnedtotheIArmoredCorpsinCasablancatohelpplanOperationHusky.FearingU.S.troopswouldbesidelined,heconvincedBritishcommanderstoallowthemtocontinuefightingthroughtotheendoftheTunisiaCampaignbeforeleavingonthisnewassignment.

SicilyCampaignForOperationHusky,theinvasionofSicily,PattonwastocommandtheSeventhUnitedStatesArmy,dubbedtheWesternTaskForce,inlandingsatGela,ScoglittiandLicatatosupportlandingsbyBernardMontgomerysBritishEighthArmy.PattonsIArmoredCorpswasofficiallyredesignatedtheSeventhArmyjustbeforehisforceof90,000landedbeforedawnonD-Day,July10,1943,onbeachesnearthetownofLicata.Thearmadawashamperedbywindandweather,butdespitethisthethreeU.S.infantrydivisionsinvolved,the3rd,1st,and45th,securedtheirrespectivebeaches.TheythenrepulsedcounterattacksatGela,wherePattonpersonallyledhistroopsagainstGermanreinforcementsfromtheHermannGringDivision.

PattonnearBrolo,Sicily,in1943

InitiallyorderedtoprotecttheBritishforcesleftflank,PattonwasgrantedpermissionbyAlexandertotakePalermoafterMontgomerysforcesbecameboggeddownontheroadtoMessina.AspartofaprovisionalcorpsunderMajorGeneralGeoffreyKeyes,the3rdInfantryDivisionunderMajorGeneralLucianTruscottcovered100miles(160km)in72hours,arrivingatPalermoonJuly21.HethensethissightsonMessina.Hesoughtanamphibiousassault,butitwasdelayedbylackoflandingcraft,andhistroopsdidnotlandatSantoStefanountilAugust8,bywhichtimetheGermansandItalianshadalreadyevacuatedthebulkoftheirtroopstomainlandItaly.HeorderedmorelandingsonAugust10bythe3rdInfantryDivision,whichtookheavycasualtiesbutpushedtheGermanforcesback,andhastenedtheadvanceonMessina.AthirdlandingwascompletedonAugust16,andby22:00thatdayMessinafelltohisforces.Bytheendofthebattle,the200,000-manSeventhArmyhadsuffered7,500casualties,andkilledorcaptured113,000Axistroopsanddestroyed3,500vehicles.Still,40,000Germanand70,000ItaliantroopsescapedtoItalywith10,000vehicles.

Pattonsconductinthiscampaignmetwithseveralcontroversies.WhenAlexandersentatransmissiononJuly19limitingPattonsattackonMessina,hischiefofstaff,BrigadierGeneralHobartR.Gay,claimedthemessagewaslostintransmissionuntilMessinahadfallen.OnJuly22heshotandkilledapairofmulesthathadstoppedwhilepullingacartacrossabridge.ThecartwasblockingthewayofaU.S.armoredcolumnwhichwasunderattackfromGermanaircraft.WhentheirSicilianownerprotested,Pattonattacked

himwithawalkingstickandpushedthetwomulesoffofthebridge.WheninformedofthemassacreofItalianprisonersatBiscaribytroopsunderhiscommand,Pattonwroteinhisdiary,ItoldBradleythatitwasprobablyanexaggeration,butinanycasetotelltheofficertocertifythatthedeadmenweresnipersorhadattemptedtoescapeorsomething,asitwouldmakeastinkinthepressandalsowouldmaketheciviliansmad.Anyhow,theyaredead,sonothingcanbedoneaboutit.PattonalsocameintofrequentdisagreementswithTerrydelaMesaAllen,Sr.,andTheodoreRoosevelt,Jr.,andacquiescedtotheirreliefbyBradley.

SlappingincidentsandaftermathTwohigh-profileincidentsofPattonstrikingsubordinatesduringtheSicilycampaignattractednationalcontroversyfollowingtheendofthecampaign.OnAugust3,1943,PattonslappedandverballyabusedPrivateCharlesH.KuhlatanevacuationhospitalinNicosiaafterhehadbeenfoundtosufferfrombattlefatigue.OnAugust10,PattonslappedPrivatePaulG.Bennettundersimilarcircumstances.Orderingbothsoldiersbacktothefrontlines,Pattonrailedagainstcowardiceandissuedorderstohiscommanderstodisciplineanysoldiermakingsimilarcomplaints.

WordoftheincidentreachedEisenhower,whoprivatelyreprimandedPattonandinsistedheapologize.Pattonapologizedtobothsoldiersindividually,aswellastodoctorswhowitnessedtheincidents,andlatertoallofthesoldiersunderhiscommandinseveralspeeches.Eisenhowersuppressedtheincidentinthemedia,butinNovemberjournalistDrewPearsonrevealeditonhisradioprogram.CriticismofPattonintheUnitedStateswasharsh,andincludedmembersofCongressandformergenerals,Pershingamongthem.Theviewsofthegeneralpublicremainedmixedonthematter,andeventuallySecretaryofWarHenryL.StimsonstatedthatPattonmustberetainedasacommanderbecauseoftheneedforhisaggressive,winningleadershipinthebitterbattleswhicharetocomebeforefinalvictory.

Pattondidnotcommandaforceincombatfor11months.InSeptember,Bradley,whowasPattonsjuniorinbothrankandexperience,wasselectedtocommandtheFirstUnitedStatesArmyforminginEnglandtoprepareforOperationOverlord.Thisdecisionhadbeenmadebeforetheslappingincidentsweremadepublic,butPattonblamedthemforhisbeingdeniedthecommand.EisenhowerfelttheinvasionofEuropewastooimportanttoriskanyuncertainty,andtheslappingincidentshadbeenanexampleofPattonsinabilitytoexercisedisciplineandself-control.WhileEisenhowerandMarshallbothfeltPattonsskillasacombatcommanderwasinvaluable,theyfeltBradleywaslessimpulsiveandpronetomakingmistakes.OnJanuary26,1944PattonwasformallygivencommandoftheThirdUnitedStatesArmyinEngland,anewlyarrivedunit,andassignedtoprepareitsinexperiencedsoldiersforcombatinEurope.ThisdutykeptPattonbusyinearly1944preparingforthependinginvasion.

TheGermanHighCommandstillhadmorerespectforPattonthanforanyotherAlliedcommanderandconsideredhimcentraltoanyplantoinvadeEuropefromtheUnitedKingdom.Becauseofthis,Pattonwasmadeaprominentfigureinthedeceptionoperation,Fortitude,inearly1944.TheAlliesfedGermanspiesasteadystreamoffalseintelligencethatPattonhadbeennamedcommanderoftheFirstUnitedStatesArmy

Group(FUSAG)andwaspreparingthiscommandforaninvasionofPasdeCalais.TheFUSAGcommandwasinrealityanintricatelyconstructedphantomarmyofdecoys,props,andfakesignalstrafficbasedaroundDovertomisleadGermanaircraftandtomakeAxisleadersbelievealargeforcewasmassingtheretomaskthereallocationoftheinvasioninNormandy.PattonwasorderedtokeepalowprofiletodeceivetheGermansintothinkinghewasinDoverthroughoutearly1944,whenhewasactuallytrainingtheThirdArmy.AsaresultofOperationFortitude,theGerman15thArmyremainedatPasdeCalaistodefendagainstPattonssupposedattack.ThisformationhelditspositionevenaftertheinvasionofNormandyonJune6,1944.PattonflewintoFranceamonthlaterandreturnedtocombatduty.

NormandySailingtoNormandythroughoutJuly,PattonsThirdArmyformedontheextremeright(west)oftheAlliedlandforces.PattonsThirdArmybecameoperationalatnoononAugust1,1944,underBradleysTwelfthUnitedStatesArmyGroup.TheThirdArmysimultaneouslyattackedwestintoBrittany,south,easttowardtheSeine,andnorth,assistingintrappingseveralhundredthousandGermansoldiersintheFalaisePocketbetweenFalaiseandArgentan.

Pattonsstrategywithhisarmyfavoredspeedandaggressiveoffensiveaction,thoughhisforcessawlessoppositionthandidtheotherthreeAlliedfieldarmiesintheinitialweeksofitsadvance.TheThirdArmytypicallyemployedforwardscoutunitstodetermineenemystrengthandpositions.Self-propelledartillerymovedwiththespearheadunitsandwassitedwellforward,readytoengageprotectedGermanpositionswithindirectfire.LightaircraftsuchasthePiperL-4Cubservedasartilleryspottersandprovidedairbornereconnaissance.Oncelocated,thearmoredinfantrywouldattackusingtanksasinfantrysupport.Otherarmoredunitswouldthenbreakthroughenemylinesandexploitanysubsequentbreach,constantlypressuringwithdrawingGermanforcestopreventthemfromregroupingandreformingacohesivedefensiveline.TheU.S.armoradvancedusingreconnaissancebyfire,andthe.50caliberM2Browningheavymachinegunprovedeffectiveinthisduty,oftenflushingoutandkillingGermanpanzerfaustteamswaitinginambushaswellasbreakingupGermaninfantryassaultsagainstthearmoredinfantry.

ThespeedoftheadvanceforcedPattonsunitstorelyheavilyonairreconnaissanceandtacticalairsupport.TheThirdArmyhadbyfarmoremilitaryintelligence(G-2)officersatheadquartersspecificallydesignatedtocoordinateairstrikesthananyotherarmy.ItsattachedcloseairsupportgroupwasXIXTacticalAirCommand,commandedbyBrigadierGeneralOttoP.Weyland.DevelopedoriginallybyGeneralElwoodQuesadaofIXTacticalAirCommandfortheFirstArmyinOperationCobra,thetechniqueofarmoredcolumncover,inwhichcloseairsupportwasdirectedbyanairtrafficcontrollerinoneoftheattackingtanks,wasusedextensivelybytheThirdArmy.EachcolumnwasprotectedbyastandingpatrolofthreetofourP-47andP-51fighter-bombersasacombatairpatrol(CAP).

InitsadvancefromAvranchestoArgentan,theThirdArmytraversed60miles(97km)injusttwoweeks.PattonsforcewassupplementedbyUltraintelligenceforwhichhewasbriefeddailybyhisG-2,ColonelOscarW.Koch,whoapprisedhimofGermancounterattacks,andwheretoconcentratehisforces.EquallyimportanttotheadvanceofThirdArmycolumnsinnorthernFrancewastherapidadvanceofthesupplyechelons.ThirdArmylogisticswereoverseenbyColonelWalterJ.Muller,PattonsG-4,whoemphasizedflexibility,improvisation,andadaptationforThirdArmysupplyechelonssoforwardunitscouldrapidlyexploitabreakthrough.PattonsrapiddrivetoLorrainedemonstratedhiskeenappreciationforthetechnologicaladvantagesoftheU.S.Army.ThemajorU.S.andAlliedadvantageswereinmobilityandairsuperiority.TheU.S.Armyhadagreaternumberoftrucks,morereliabletanks,andbetterradiocommunications,whichallcontributedtoasuperiorabilitytooperateatarapidoffensivepace.

LorraineCampaignPattonsoffensivecametoahaltonAugust31,1944,astheThirdArmyranoutoffuelneartheMoselleRiver,justoutsideofMetz.Pattonexpectedthatthetheatercommanderwouldkeepfuelandsuppliesflowingtosupportsuccessfuladvances,butEisenhowerfavoredabroadfrontapproachtotheground-wareffort,believingthatasinglethrustwouldhavetodropoffflankprotection,andwouldquicklyloseitspunch.Stillwithintheconstraintsofaverylargeeffortoverall,EisenhowergaveMontgomeryandhisTwentyFirstArmyGroupahigherpriorityforsuppliesforOperationMarketGarden.Combinedwithotherdemandsonthelimitedresourcepool,thisresultedintheThirdArmyexhaustingitsfuelsupplies.PattonbelievedhisforceswerecloseenoughtotheSiegfriedLinethatheremarkedtoBradleythatwith400,000gallonsofgasolinehecouldbeinGermanywithintwodays.InlateSeptember,alargeGermanPanzercounterattacksentexpresslytostoptheadvanceofPattonsThirdArmywasdefeatedbytheU.S.4thArmoredDivisionattheBattleofArracourt.Despitethevictory,theThirdArmystayedinplaceasaresultofEisenhowersorder.TheGermancommandersbelievedthiswasbecausetheircounterattackhadbeensuccessful.PattonpinsaSilverStarMedalonPrivateErnestA.Jenkins,asoldierunderhiscommand,October1944

ThehaltoftheThirdArmyduringthemonthofSeptemberwasenoughtoallowtheGermanstostrengthenthefortressofMetz.InOctoberandNovember,theThirdArmywasmiredinanear-stalematewiththeGermansduringtheBattleofMetz,withheavycasualtiesonbothsides.AnattemptbyPattontoseizeFortDriantjustsouthofMetzwasdefeated.Bymid-November,however,MetzhadfallentotheAmericans.Pattonsdecisionsintakingthiscitywerecriticized.GermancommandersinterviewedafterthewarnotedhecouldhavebypassedthecityandmovednorthtoLuxembourgwherehewouldhavebeenabletocutofftheGermanSeventhArmy.TheGermancommanderofMetz,GeneralHermannBalck,alsonotedthatamoredirectattackwouldhaveresultedinamoredecisiveAlliedvictoryinthecity.HistorianCarloDEstelaterwrotethattheLorraineCampaignwasoneofPattonsleastsuccessful,faultinghimfornotdeployinghisdivisionsmoreaggressivelyanddecisively.WithsupplieslowandprioritygiventoMontgomeryuntiltheportofAntwerpcouldbeopened,Pattonremainedfrustratedatthelackofprogressofhisforces.FromNovember8toDecember15,hisarmyadvancednomorethan40miles(64km).

BattleoftheBulge

Bradley,Eisenhower,andPattoninEurope,1945

InDecember1944,theGermanarmy,underthecommandofGermanFieldMarshalGerdvonRundstedt,launchedalast-ditchoffensiveacrossBelgium,Luxembourg,andnortheasternFrance.OnDecember16,1944,itmassed29divisionstotaling250,000menataweakpointintheAlliedlines,andduringtheearlystagesoftheensuingBattleoftheBulge,madesignificantheadwaytowardstheMeuseRiverduringoneoftheworstwintersEuropehadseeninyears.EisenhowercalledameetingofallseniorAlliedcommandersontheWesternFronttoaheadquartersnearVerdunonthemorningofDecember19toplanstrategyandaresponsetotheGermanassault.

Atthetime,PattonsThirdArmywasengagedinheavyfightingnearSaarbrcken.GuessingtheintentoftheAlliedcommandmeeting,PattonorderedhisstafftomakethreeseparateoperationalcontingencyorderstodisengageelementsoftheThirdArmyfromitspresentpositionandbeginoffensiveoperationstowardseveralobjectivesintheareaofthebulgeoccupiedbyGermanforces.AttheSupremeCommandconference,Eisenhowerledthemeeting,whichwasattendedbyPatton,Bradley,GeneralJacobDevers,MajorGeneralKennethStrong,DeputySupremeCommanderAirChiefMarshalArthurTedder,andalargenumberofstaffofficers.WhenEisenhoweraskedPattonhowlongitwouldtakehimtodisengagesixdivisionsofhisThirdArmyandcommenceacounterattacknorthtorelievetheU.S.101stAirborneDivisionwhichhadbeentrappedatBastogne,Pattonreplied,Assoonasyourethroughwithme.PattonthenclarifiedthathehadalreadyworkedupanoperationalorderforacounterattackbythreefulldivisionsonDecember21,thenonly48hoursaway.Eisenhowerwasincredulous:Dontbefatuous,George.Ifyoutrytogothatearlyyouwonthaveallthreedivisionsreadyandyoullgopiecemeal.Pattonrepliedthathisstaffalreadyhadacontingencyoperationsorderreadytogo.Stillunconvinced,EisenhowerorderedPattontoattackthemorningofDecember22,usingatleastthreedivisions.

Pattonlefttheconferenceroom,phonedhiscommand,andutteredtwowords:Playball.ThiscodephraseinitiatedaprearrangedoperationalorderwithPattonsstaff,mobilizingthreedivisionsthe4thArmoredDivision,theU.S.80thInfantryDivision,andtheU.S.26thInfantryDivisionfromtheThirdArmyandmovingthemnorthtowardBastogne.In

all,Pattonwouldrepositionsixfulldivisions,U.S.IIICorpsandU.S.XIICorps,fromtheirpositionsontheSaarRiverfrontalongalinestretchingfromBastognetoDiekirchandtoEchternach.Withinafewdays,morethan133,000ThirdArmyvehicleswerere-routedintoanoffensivethatcoveredacombineddistanceof1,500,000miles(2,400,000km),followedbysupportechelonscarrying62,000tonnes(61,000longtons;68,000shorttons)ofsupplies.

OnDecember21PattonmetwithBradleytoreviewtheimpendingadvance,startingthemeetingbyremarking,Brad,thistimetheKrautsstuckhisheadinthemeatgrinder,andIvegotholdofthehandle.PattonthenarguedthathisThirdArmyshouldattacktowardKoblenz,cuttingoffthebulgeatthebaseandtraptheentiretyoftheGermanarmiesinvolvedintheoffensive.Afterbrieflyconsideringthis,Bradleyvetoedthisproposal,ashewaslessconcernedaboutkillinglargenumbersofGermansthanhewasinarrangingforthereliefofBastognebeforeitwasoverrun.Desiringgoodweatherforhisadvance,whichwouldpermitclosegroundsupportbyU.S.ArmyAirForcestacticalaircraft,PattonorderedtheThirdArmychaplain,ColonelJamesHughONeill,tocomposeasuitableprayer:AlmightyandmostmercifulFather,wehumblybeseechThee,ofThygreatgoodness,torestraintheseimmoderaterainswithwhichwehavehadtocontend.GrantusfairweatherforBattle.GraciouslyhearkentousassoldierswhocalluponTheethat,armedwithThypower,wemayadvancefromvictorytovictoryandcrushtheoppressionandwickednessofourenemies,andestablishThyjusticeamongmenandnations.Amen.Whentheweatherclearedsoonafter,PattonawardedONeillaBronzeStarMedalonthespot.

OnDecember26,1944,thefirstspearheadunitsoftheThirdArmys4thArmoredDivisionreachedBastogne,openingacorridorforreliefandresupplyofthebesiegedforces.Pattonsabilitytodisengagesixdivisionsfromfrontlinecombatduringthemiddleofwinter,thenwheelnorthtorelieveBastognewasoneofhismostremarkableachievementsduringthewar.HelaterwrotethatthereliefofBastognewasthemostbrilliantoperationwehavethusfarperformed,anditisinmyopiniontheoutstandingachievementofthewar.Thisismybiggestbattle.

AdvanceintoGermanyByFebruary,theGermanswereinfullretreat.OnFebruary23,1945,theU.S.94thInfantryDivisioncrossedtheSaarandestablishedavitalbridgeheadatSerrigthroughwhichPattonpushedunitsintotheSaarland.PattonhadinsisteduponanimmediatecrossingoftheSaarRiveragainsttheadviceofhisofficers.HistorianssuchasCharlesWhitinghavecriticizedthisstrategyasunnecessarilyaggressive.

Onceagain,however,Pattonfoundothercommandsgivenpriorityongasolineandsupplies.Toobtainthese,ThirdArmyordnanceunitspassedthemselvesoffasFirstArmypersonnelandinoneincidenttheysecuredthousandsofgallonsofgasolinefromaFirstArmydump.BetweenJanuary29andMarch22,theThirdArmytookTrier,Coblenz,Bingen,Worms,Mainz,Kaiserslautern,andLudwigshafen,killingorwounding99,000andcapturing140,112Germansoldiers,whichrepresentedvirtuallyalloftheremnantsoftheGermanFirstandSeventhArmies.AnexampleofPattonssarcasticwitwasbroadcastwhenhereceivedorderstoby-passTrier,asithadbeendecidedthat

fourdivisionswouldbeneededtocaptureit.Whenthemessagearrived,Trierhadalreadyfallen.Pattonrathercausticallyreplied:HavetakenTrierwithtwodivisions.Doyouwantmetogiveitback?

TheThirdArmybegancrossingtheRhineRiverafterconstructingabridgeonMarch22,andheslippedadivisionacrosstheriverthatevening.Pattonlaterboastedhehadurinatedintotheriverashecrossed.

Eisenhower,BradleyandPattoninspectacremationpyreattheOhrdrufconcentrationcamponApril12,1945,afterliberation

OnMarch26,1945,PattonsentTaskForceBaum,consistingof314men,16tanks,andassortedothervehicles,50miles(80km)behindGermanlinestoliberateaprisonerofwarcamp,OFLAGXIII-BnearHammelburg.OneoftheinmateswasPattonsson-in-law,LieutenantColonelJohnK.Waters,whohadbeencapturedinNorthAfrica.Theraidwasafailure,andonly35menmadeitback;therestwereeitherkilledorcaptured,andall57vehicleswerelost.MajorGeneralGunthervonGoeckel,thecampcommandant,calledforWaterstotrytoarrangeatruce.Heagreedtoactasintermediaryandalongwithseveralmen,includingoneGermanofficer,volunteeredtoexitthecamptomeetwiththeAmericans.BeforetheGermanofficercouldexplainthesituationtohiscountrymen,WaterswasshotinthebuttocksbyanuninformedGermansoldierasheapproachedtheAmericancolumn.HewastakenbackandtreatedforhiswoundsbySerbiandoctorsinternedinthecamp.WhenEisenhowerlearnedofthesecretmission,hewasfurious.PattonlatersaidhefeltthecorrectdecisionwouldhavebeentosendaCombatCommand,aforceaboutthreetimeslarger.

ByApril,resistanceagainsttheThirdArmywastaperingoff,andtheforcesmaineffortsturnedtomanagingsome400,000Germanprisonersofwar.OnApril14,1945Pattonwaspromotedtogeneral,apromotionlongadvocatedbyStimsoninrecognitionofPattonsbattleaccomplishmentsduring1944.Laterthatmonth,Patton,BradleyandEisenhowertouredtheMerkerssaltmineaswellastheOhrdrufconcentrationcamp,andseeingtheconditionsofthecampfirsthandcausedPattongreatdisgust.ThirdArmywasorderedtowardBavariaandCzechoslovakia,anticipatingalaststandbyNaziGermanforcesthere.HewasreportedlyappalledtolearntheRedArmywouldtakeBerlin,feeling

theSovietUnionwasathreattotheU.S.PattonsarmyadvancedtoPilsen,butwasstoppedbyEisenhowerfromreachingPraguebeforeV-EDayandtheendofthewarinEurope.

InitsadvancefromtheRhinetotheElbe,PattonsThirdArmy,whichnumberedbetween250,000and300,000menatanygiventime,captured32,763squaremiles(84,860km2)ofGermanterritory.Itslosseswere2,102killed,7,954wounded,and1,591missing.GermanlossesinthefightingagainsttheThirdArmytotaled20,100killed,47,700wounded,and653,140captured.

BetweenbecomingoperationalinNormandyonAugust1,1944andtheendofhostilitiesonMay9,1945,theThirdArmywasincontinuouscombatfor281days.Inthattime,itcrossed24majorriversandcaptured81,500squaremiles(211,000km2)ofterritory,includingmorethan12,000citiesandtowns.TheThirdArmyclaimedtohavekilled,wounded,orcaptured1,811,388Germansoldiers,sixtimesitsstrengthinpersonnel.FullersreviewofThirdArmyrecordsdiffersonlyinthenumberofenemykilledandwounded,statingthatbetweenAugust1,1944andMay9,1945,47,500oftheenemywerekilled,115,700wounded,and1,280,688captured,foratotalof1,443,888.

AftertheEuropeanCampaignPattonaskedforacommandinthePacificTheaterofOperations,beggingMarshalltobringhimtothatwarinanywaypossible,andMarshallsaidhewouldbeabletodosoonlyiftheChinesesecuredamajorportforhisentry,anunlikelyscenario.Inmid-May,PattonflewtoParis,thenLondonforrest.OnJune7,hearrivedinBedford,Massachusetts,forextendedleavewithhisfamily,andwasgreetedbythousandsofspectators.PattonthendrovetoHatchMemorialShellandspoketosome20,000,includingacrowdof400woundedThirdArmyveterans.InthisspeechhearousedsomecontroversyamongtheGoldStarMotherswhenhestatedthatamanwhodiesinbattleisfrequentlyafool,addingthatthewoundedareheroes.PattonspenttimeinBostonbeforevisitingandspeakinginDenverandvisitingLosAngeles,wherehespoketoacrowdof100,000attheMemorialColiseum.PattonmadeafinalstopinWashington,D.C.beforereturningtoEuropeinJulytoserveintheoccupationforces.

PattonwasappointedmilitarygovernorofBavaria,whereheledtheThirdArmyindenazificationefforts.PattonwasparticularlyupsetwhenlearningoftheendofthewaragainstJapan,writinginhisdiary,Yetanotherwarhascometoanend,andwithitmyusefulnesstotheworld.Unhappywithhispositionanddepressedbyhisbeliefthathewouldneverfightinanotherwar,Pattonsbehaviorandstatementsbecameincreasinglyerratic.VariousexplanationsbeyondhisdisappointmentshavebeenproposedforPattonsbehavioratthispoint.CarloDEstewrotethatitseemsvirtuallyinevitablethatPattonexperiencedsometypeofbraindamagefromtoomanyheadinjuriesfromalifetimeofnumerousauto-andhorse-relatedaccidents,especiallyonesufferedwhileplayingpoloin1936.PattonsnieceJeanGordonappearedagain;theyspentsometimetogetherinLondonin1944,andagaininBavariain1945.GordonactuallylovedayoungmarriedcaptainwholeftherdespondentwhenhewenthometohiswifeinSeptember1945.Pattonrepeatedlyboastedofhissexualsuccesswiththisyoungwomanbuthisbiographersareskeptical.Hirshsonsaystherelationshipwascasual.ShowalterbelievesthatPatton,underseverephysicalandpsychologicalstress,madeupclaimsofsexualconquesttoprovehisvirility.DEsteagrees,saying,Hisbehaviorsuggeststhatinboth1936and194445,thepresenceoftheyoungandattractiveJeanwasameansofassuagingtheanxietiesofamiddle-agedmantroubledoverhisvirilityandafearofaging.

PattonattractedcontroversyasmilitarygovernorwhenitwasnotedthatseveralformerNaziPartymemberscontinuedtoholdpoliticalpostsintheregion.Whenrespondingtothepressaboutthesubject,PattonrepeatedlycomparedNazistoDemocratsandRepublicansinnotingthatmostofthepeoplewithexperienceininfrastructuremanagementhadbeencompelledtojointhepartyinthewar,causingnegativepressstatesideandangeringEisenhower.OnSeptember28,1945,afteraheatedexchangewithEisenhoweroverhisstatements,Pattonwasrelievedofhismilitarygovernorship.HewasrelievedofcommandoftheThirdArmyon7October,andinasomberchangeofcommandceremony,Pattonconcludedhisfarewellremarks,Allgoodthingsmustcometoanend.ThebestthingthathaseverhappenedtomethusfaristhehonorandprivilegeofhavingcommandedtheThirdArmy.

PattonsfinalassignmentwastocommandtheFifteenthUnitedStatesArmybasedinBadNauheim.TheFifteenthArmyatthispointconsistedonlyofasmallheadquartersstafftaskedtocompileahistoryofthewarinEurope.Pattonhadacceptedthepostbecauseofhisloveofhistory,butquicklylostinterestintheduty.Hebegantraveling,visitingParis,Rennes,Chartres,Brussels,Metz,Reims,Luxembourg,andVerdun,aswellasStockholmwherehereunitedwithotherathletesfromthe1912Olympics.PattondecidedhewouldleavehispostattheFifteenthArmyandnotreturntoEuropeonceheleftonDecember10forChristmasleave.Heintendedtodiscusswithhiswifewhetherhewouldcontinueinastatesidepostorretire.

Death

PattonsgraveinHamm,Luxembourg

OnDecember8,1945,Pattonschiefofstaff,MajorGeneralHobartGay,invitedhimonapheasanthuntingtripnearSpeyertolifthisspirits.At11:45onDecember9,PattonandGaywereridinginPattons1938CadillacModel75staffcardrivenbyPrivateFirstClassHoraceL.WoodringwhentheystoppedatarailroadintersectioninMannheim-Kfertaltoallowatraintopass.Patton,observingderelictcarsalongthesideoftheroad,spokeasthecarcrossedtherailroadtrack,Howawfulwaris.Thinkofthewaste.Woodringglancedawayfromtheroadwhena2tonGMCtruckdrivenbyTechnicalSergeantRobertL.Thompson,whowasenroutetoaquartermasterdepot,suddenlymadealeftturninfrontofthecar.Woodringslammedthebrakesandturnedsharplytotheleft,collidingwiththetruckatalowspeed.

Woodring,Thompson,andGaywereonlyslightlyinjuredinthecrash,butPattonhadnotbeenabletobraceintimeandhithisheadontheglasspartitioninthebackseatofthecar.HebeganbleedingfromagashtotheheadandcomplainedtoGayandWoodringthathewasparalyzedandwashavingtroublebreathing.TakentoahospitalinHeidelberg,Pattonwasdiscoveredtohaveacompressionfractureanddislocationofthethirdandfourthvertebrae,resultinginabrokenneckandcervicalspinalcordinjurywhichrenderedhimparalyzedfromtheneckdown.Hespentmostofthenext12daysinspinaltractiontodecreasespinalpressure.Althoughinsomepainfromthisprocedure,hereportedlynevercomplainedaboutit.Allnon-medicalvisitors,exceptforPattonswife,whohadflownfromtheU.S.,wereforbidden.Patton,whohadbeentoldhehadnochancetoeveragainrideahorseorresumenormallife,atonepointcommented,Thisisahellofawaytodie.Hediedinhissleepofpulmonaryedemaandcongestiveheartfailureatabout18:00onDecember21,1945.PattonwasburiedattheLuxembourgAmericanCemeteryandMemorialinHamm,Luxembourg,alongsideotherwartimecasualtiesoftheThirdArmy,perhisrequesttobeburiedwithmymen.

PattonsLegacyPattonscolorfulpersonality,hard-drivingleadershipstyleandsuccessasacommander,combinedwithhisfrequentpoliticalmissteps,producedamixedandoftencontradictoryimage.Pattonsgreatoratoryskillisseenasintegraltohisabilitytoinspiretroopsunderhiscommand.HistorianTerryBrightonconcludedthatPattonwasarrogant,publicity-seekingandpersonallyflawed,butamongthegreatestgeneralsofthewar.Still,Pattonsimpactonarmoredwarfareandleadershipweresubstantial,withtheU.S.ArmyadoptingmanyofPattonsaggressivestrategiesforitstrainingprogramsfollowinghisdeath.Manymilitaryofficersclaiminspirationfromhislegacy.ThefirstU.S.tankdesignedafterthewarbecametheM46Patton.

SeveralactorshaveportrayedPattononscreen,themostfamousbeingGeorgeC.Scottinthe1970filmPatton.Hereprisedtherolein1986forthetelevisionminiseriesTheLastDaysofPatton.ScottsiconicdepictionofPatton,particularlyofhisfamousspeechtotheThirdArmy,earnedhimanAcademyAward,andwasinstrumentalinbringingPattonintopopularcultureasafolkhero.OtheractorswhohaveportrayedPattonincludeStephenMcNallyinthe1957episodeThePattonPrayeroftheABCreligionanthologyseries,Crossroads,JohnLarchinthe1963filmMiracleoftheWhiteStallions,KirkDouglasinthe1966filmIsParisBurning?,GeorgeKennedyinthe1978filmBrassTarget,DarrenMcGavininthe1979miniseriesIke,RobertPrentissinthe1988filmPanchoBarnes,MitchellRyaninthe1989filmDoubleExposure:TheStoryofMargaretBourke-White,LawrenceDobkinina1989episodeoftheminiseriesWarandRemembrance,EdwardAsnerinthe1997filmTheLongWayHome,GeraldMcRaneyinthe2004miniseriesIke:CountdowntoD-Day,DanHigginsina2006episodeoftheminiseriesMan,Moment,Machine,andKelseyGrammerinthe2008filmAnAmericanCarol.

Image

AreplicaofPattonsWorldWarIIcommandvehicleondisplayattheLoneStarFlightMuseum

Pattondeliberatelycultivatedaflashy,distinctiveimageinthebeliefthatthiswouldinspirehistroops.Hecarriedanivory-gripped,engraved,silver-platedColtSingleActionArmy.45revolveronhisrighthip,andfrequentlyworeanivory-grippedSmith&WessonModel27.357Magnumonhislefthip.Hewasusuallyseenwearingahighlypolished

helmet,ridingpants,andhighcavalryboots.Hewasknowntooverseetrainingmaneuversfromatopatankpaintedred,whiteandblue.Hisjeepboreoversizedrankplacardsonthefrontandback,aswellasaklaxonhornwhichwouldloudlyannouncehisapproachfromafar.HeproposedanewuniformfortheemergingTankCorps,featuringpolishedbuttons,agoldhelmet,andthick,darkpaddedsuits;theproposalwasderidedinthemediaastheGreenHornet,andwasrejectedbytheArmy.

HistorianAlanAxelrodwrotethatforPatton,leadershipwasneversimplyaboutmakingplansandgivingorders,itwasabouttransformingoneselfintoasymbol.Pattonintentionallyexpressedaconspicuousdesireforglory,atypicaloftheofficercorpsofthedaywhichemphasizedblendinginwithtroopsonthebattlefield.HewasanadmirerofAdmiralHoratioNelsonforhisactionsinleadingtheBattleofTrafalgarinafulldressuniform.Pattonhadapreoccupationwithbravery,wearinghisrankinsigniaconspicuouslyincombat,andatonepointduringWorldWarIrodeatopatankintoaGerman-controlledvillageseekingtoinspirecourageinhismen.Hewasalsoastaunchfatalist,andwasunabashedinhisbeliefinreincarnation,specificallythathemayhavebeenamilitaryleaderkilledinactioninNapoleonsarmyinapreviouslife,oraRomanlegionary.

Pattonswell-knowncustomivory-handledrevolver

Pattondevelopedanabilitytodelivercharismaticspeeches,inpartbecausehehadtroublewithreading.Heusedprofanityheavilyinhisspeech,whichgenerallywasenjoyedbytroopsunderhiscommandbutoffendedothergenerals,includingBradley.ThemostfamousofhisspeecheswereaserieshedeliveredtotheThirdArmypriortoOperationOverlord.Whenspeaking,hewasknownforhisbluntnessandwitticism;heoncesaid,ThetwomostdangerousweaponstheGermanshaveareourownarmoredhalftrackandjeep.Thehalftrackbecausetheboysinitgoallheroic,thinkingtheyareinatank.ThejeepbecausewehavesomanyGod-awfuldrivers.DuringtheBattleoftheBulge,hefamouslyremarkedthattheAlliesshouldletthesons-of-bitchesgoallthewaytoParis,thenwellcutthemoffandroundthemup.HealsosuggestedfacetiouslythathisThirdArmycoulddrivetheBritishbackintotheseaforanotherDunkirk.

AsmediascrutinyonPattonincreased,hisbluntnessstirredanumberofcontroversies,includingwhenhewasquotedin1945comparingNazistoDemocratsandRepublicans,andagainlaterthatyearwhenheattemptedtohonorseveralwounded

veteransinaspeechbycallingthemtherealheroesofthewar,unintentionallyoffendingthefamiliesofsoldierswhohadbeenkilledinaction.HislargestcontroversycamepriortoOperationOverlordwhenheimpliedtoreportersthattheBritishandAmericans,andnottheSovietUnion,woulddominatethepost-warworld,stirringtensionamongthealreadydelicatealliance.Eisenhowerstatedthathislackoftactwasaflawwhichlimitedhisleadershippotential,inspiteofhismanyaccomplishments.

Asaleader,Pattonwasknowntobehighlycritical,correctingsubordinatesmercilesslyfortheslightestinfractions,butalsobeingquicktopraisetheiraccomplishments.Whilehegarneredareputationasageneralwhowasbothimpatientandimpulsiveandhadlittletoleranceforofficerswhohadfailedtosucceed,hefiredonlyonegeneralduringWorldWarII,OrlandoWard,andonlyaftertwowarnings,whereasBradleysackednumerousgeneralsduringthewar.Pattonreportedlyhadtheutmostrespectforthemenservinginhiscommand,particularlythewounded,althoughhetendedtoclassifycasesofpsychologicalbattlefieldbreakdown,todayidentifiedaspost-traumaticstressdisorder,asmalingering.Manyofhisdirectivesshowedspecialtroubletocarefortheenlistedmenunderhiscommand,andhewaswellknownforarrangingextrasuppliesforbattlefieldsoldiers,includingblanketsandextrasocks,galoshes,andotheritemsnormallyinshortsupplyatthefront.

Pattonremainedoutspokenandunabashedinhisfeelingsofracismthroughouthislife.HisattitudeswerelikelycultivatedfromhisprivilegedupbringingandfamilyrootsinthesouthernUnitedStates.PrivatelyhewroteofAfricanAmericansoldiers:Individuallytheyweregoodsoldiers,butIexpressedmybeliefatthetime,andhaveneverfoundthenecessityofchangingit,thatacoloredsoldiercannotthinkfastenoughtofightinarmor.However,healsostatedthatperformancewasmoreimportantthanraceorreligiousaffiliation:Idontgiveadamnwhothemanis.HecanbeaniggeroraJew,butifhehasthestuffanddoeshisduty,hecanhaveanythingIvegot.ByGod!Ilovehim.Inspiteoftheseviews,PattoncalledheavilyontheAfricanAmericantroopsunderhiscommand.

AfterreadingtheKoranandobservingNorthAfricans,hewrotetohiswife,JustfinishedreadingtheKoranagoodbookandinteresting.Pattonhadakeeneyefornativecustomsandmethodsandwroteknowinglyoflocalarchitecture;heonceratedtheprogressofword-of-mouthrumorinArabcountryat4060miles(6497km)aday.InspiteofhisregardfortheKoran,heconcluded,TomeitseemscertainthatthefatalisticteachingsofMohammadandtheutterdegradationofwomenistheoutstandingcauseforthearresteddevelopmentoftheArabHere,Ithink,isatextforsomeeloquentsermononthevirtuesofChristianity.PattonwasimpressedwiththeSovietUnionbutwasdisdainfulofRussiansasdrunkswithnoregardforhumanlife.Laterinlifehealsobegantoexpressgrowingfeelingsofantisemitismandanticommunism,asaresultofhisfrequentcontroversiesinthepress.

AsviewedbyAlliedandAxisleadersOnFebruary1,1945,EisenhowerwroteamemorankingthemilitarycapabilitiesofhissubordinateAmericangeneralsinEurope.BradleyandArmyAirForceGeneralCarlSpaatzsharedthenumberoneposition,whileWalterBedellSmithwasrankednumber

two,andPattonnumberthree.Eisenhowerrevealedhisreasoningina1946reviewofthebookPattonandhisThirdArmy:GeorgePattonwasthemostbrilliantcommanderofanarmyintheopenfieldthatouroranyotherserviceproduced.Buthisarmywaspartofawholeorganizationandhisoperationspartofagreatcampaign.EisenhowerbelievedthatothergeneralssuchasBradleyshouldbegiventhecreditforplanningthesuccessfulAlliedcampaignsacrossEuropeinwhichPattonwasmerelyabrilliantexecutor.

NotwithstandingEisenhowersestimationofPattonsabilitiesasastrategicplanner,hisoverallviewofPattonsmilitaryvalueinachievingAlliedvictoryinEuropecanbestbeseeninEisenhowersrefusaltoevenconsidersendingPattonhomeaftertheslappingincidentsof1943,afterwhichheprivatelyremarked,Pattonisindispensabletothewareffortoneoftheguarantorsofourvictory.AsAssistantSecretaryofWarJohnJ.McCloytoldEisenhower:LincolnsremarkaftertheygotafterGrantcomestomindwhenIthinkofPattonIcantsparethisman,hefights.AfterPattonsdeath,Eisenhowerwouldwritehisowntribute:Hewasoneofthosemenborntobeasoldier,anidealcombatleaderItisnoexaggerationtosaythatPattonsnamestruckterrorattheheartsoftheenemy.

BradleysviewofPattonwasdecidedlynegative.PattonreceivedscantpraiseinBradleysmemoirs,inwhichthelattermadeitclearthathadhebeenPattonssuperiorinSicilyin1943,henotonlywouldhaverelievedPattonofcommandimmediatelybutwouldhavehadnothingmoretodowithhim.Thetwomenwerepolaroppositesinpersonality,andthereisconsiderableevidencethatBradleydislikedPattonbothpersonallyandprofessionally.PresidentFranklinD.RooseveltappearedtogreatlyesteemPattonandhisabilities,statingheisourgreatestfightinggeneral,andsheerjoy.Ontheotherhand,Rooseveltssuccessor,HarryS.Truman,appearstohavetakenaninstantdisliketoPatton,atonepointcomparingbothhimandDouglasMacArthurtoGeorgeArmstrongCuster.

Forthemostpart,BritishcommandersdidnotholdPattoninhighregard.FieldMarshalAlanBrookenotedinJanuary1943thatIhadheardofhim,butImustconfessthathisswashbucklingpersonalityexceededmyexpectation.Ididnotformanyhighopinionofhim,norhadIanyreasontoalterthisviewatanylaterdate.Adashing,courageous,wildandunbalancedleader,goodforoperationsrequiringthrustandpushbutatalossinanyoperationrequiringskillandjudgment.OnepossibleexceptionwasMontgomery.AlthoughthelattersrivalrywithPattonwaswellknown,MontgomeryappearstohaveadmiredPattonsabilitytocommandtroopsinthefield,ifnothisstrategicjudgment.OtherAlliedcommandersweremoreimpressed,theFreeFrenchinparticular.GeneralHenriGiraudwasincredulouswhenheheardofPattonsdismissalbyEisenhowerinlate1945,andinvitedhimtoParistobedecoratedbyPresidentCharlesdeGaulleatastatebanquet.Atthebanquet,PresidentdeGaullegaveaspeechplacingPattonsachievementsalongsidethoseofNapoleon.SovietleaderJosephStalinwasapparentlyanadmirer,statingthattheRedArmycouldneitherhaveplannednorexecutedPattonsrapidarmoredadvanceacrossFrance.

WhileAlliedleadersexpressedmixedfeelingsonPattonscapabilities,theGermanHighCommandwasnotedtohavemorerespectforhimthanforanyotherAlliedcommanderafter1943.AdolfHitlerreportedlycalledhimthatcrazycowboygeneral.ManyGermanfieldcommandersweregenerousintheirpraiseofPattonsleadershipfollowingthe

war,andmanyofitshighestcommandersalsoheldhisabilitiesinhighregard.

ErwinRommelcreditedPattonwithexecutingthemostastonishingachievementinmobilewarfare.GeneraloberstAlfredJodl,chiefofstaffoftheGermanArmy,statedthatPattonwastheAmericanGuderian.Hewasveryboldandpreferredlargemovements.Hetookbigrisksandwonbigsuccesses.GeneralfeldmarschallAlbertKesselringnotedthatPattonhaddevelopedtankwarfareintoanart,andunderstoodhowtohandletanksbrilliantlyinthefield.Ifeelcompelled,therefore,tocomparehimwithGeneralfeldmarschallRommel,wholikewisehadmasteredtheartoftankwarfare.Bothofthemhadakindofsecondsightinregardtothistypeofwarfare.ReferringtotheescapeoftheAfrikaKorpsaftertheBattleofElAlamein,FritzBayerleinopinedthatIdonotthinkthatGeneralPattonwouldletusgetawaysoeasily.InaninterviewconductedforStarsandStripesjustafterhiscapture,FieldMarshalGerdvonRundstedtstatedsimplyofPatton,Heisyourbest.

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