According to the German High Command, it
would be insane to come across, anywhere BUT
Pas de Calais!
I have been following the daily posts by Homer_J_Simpson (ketword worldwarii) in which he posts the New York Times from 70 years ago today and I noticed that in the time from D-Day to present, the Soviets have advanced nearly 150 miles on Warsaw, the Allies have advanced 150 miles on Florence, but the Allies in Normandy have advanced barely 20 miles from the beach. I know that after Patton takes over (a week from today) the allied advance against the Germans in France will be epic. The folks back home must have seen him as heroic, even invincible.
Leadership & ability: 2 things sorely lacking in Obama.
Nothing against Patton, but it helps to have the enemy’s codes broken, and air superiority. When you know where and when their supplies are being transported, you cut their logistics, and the odds are in your favor.
In Patton’s favor, he knew what he had going for him and took full advantage. That was his genius.
Now Monte on the other hand...
“How could a supreme commander like Eisenhower handle Patton, who at any given moment could — and would — let loose with politically incorrect bombast?”
By placing the PRIORITY on WINNING and screwing the PC nonsense!!!!!!
Americas’s greatest Generals: Washington, Andrew Jackson, Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Pershing, Eisenhower, McArthur, Patton, possibly Schwartzkopf.
My Dad was a junior officer in the 45th ID (Thunderbirds) in the SLOG up Italy and at Anzio. The disaster of the Anzio landing was the pause to consolidate, reinforce and organize without pushing out to the surrounding high ground. US Generals John Lucas and his immediate superior, Mark Clark, have been strongly criticized for allowing German forces to close the beachhead and turn a brilliant around-the-back amphibious attack into a 4+ month siege and bleeding! Somehow I cannot see General Patton making the same ‘caution’ error and PERHAPS done better at the battle up from Salerno!
It is amazing to me how my mind fills in the picture of Patton with George C Scott. The lanky fellow in this picture does not seem to be real in comparison to the burly presence of Scott in the movie. Just an observation of the effect of media upon the psyche of history.
I get it’s an article on Patton and don’t disagree that he was a genius at what he did. But...”far less gifted Omar Bradley”...I think is a bit much.
Omar did well in his role and got a ton out of his troops more than most of the other generals. I wouldn’t put him on an equal plateau with Patton, but I wouldn’t put him anywhere near Montgomery who was “far less” than Patton in everything except politics.
General Patton’s Leadership Secrets
“A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.”
“Do everything you ask of those you command.”
“Do more than is required of you.”
“Do not fear failure.”
“Do not make excuses, whether it’s your fault or not.”
“Do not take counsel of your fears.”
“Give credit where it’s due.”
“In case of doubt, attack.”
“It’s the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that insures victory.”
“Lack of orders is no excuse for inaction.”
“Make your plans to fit the circumstances.”
“Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.”
“Say what you mean and mean what you say.”
“Take calculated risks.”
“The duties of an officer are the safety, honor, and welfare of your country first; the honor, welfare, and comfort of the men in your command second; and the officer’s own ease, comfort, and safety last.”
“The soldier is the army.”
“There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change; it is, ‘To use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wounds, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.’ “
“There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline.”
“There’s a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary and is much less prevalent. One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is loyalty to their subordinates.”
“You’re never beaten until you admit it.”
http://www.pattonhq.com/textfiles/thirdhst.html