Patton or Rommel

He may have known a lot about strategy but do you really think a general like that would make it in today's society? Generals should lead by example and the fact that he had no self control or restraint tells me while he was good at strategy he didn't have what it takes to be a good general like Douglas McArthur who actually came back for his troops in the Phillpines

 

Still doesnt explain why he was a "terrible" General. And what does having to "Make it" in today's society got to do with it? Different times. Different society and morals,ect.

 

Interesting info JCF , i had no knowledge that any American Tankers fought at Cambrai , i'll have to look into that , they were involved in the Sept 1918 attacks at Cambrai but i never seen anything saying they were involved in the first large Tank Battle in History at Cambrai in 1917 a la Pattons Biography.

regards

Paul

 

My Pleasure. " Depending on the source, he either led the U.S. Tank Corps or was an observer at the 1917 Battle of Cambrai, where the first tanks were used as a significant force. As the U.S. Tank Corps did not take part in this battle the role of observer is the most likely."

"When Pershing and Patton were in France, Patton requested a transfer to a combat command. Patton became the first American assigned to the new U.S. Tank Corps. With his usual brashness, Patton treaded to victory with the British tankers at Cambrai — the world's first tank battle. After visiting a French tank course, he used his newly acquired tank skills to organize the American tank school at Langres, France. He trained the first 500 American tankers.

Prior to the battle of St. Mihiel, his tankers conducted reconnaissance missions. During the battle, Patton foreshadowed his later armored thrusts as he pushed deep into enemy territory ahead of the American infantry with his primitive Renault tanks. He received a Silver Star for his efforts.

During the Meuse-Argonne offensive Patton was wounded by machine gun fire while helping rescue tanks mired in the mud. Patton received a Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross and a promotion to colonel for his actions. He was recuperating when the war ended. He returned to the U.S. a few months later to command the U.S. Tank Corps."

Around Central Florida - General George Patton Jr.

 

And once again this thread has me cackling.
The man's name alone's like Spinach!

And now MacArthur too!
Oh the humanity!

Hoohoo, depending on one source being Patton himself... and the other being everyone else . I'm sure old blood n guts, even if he was observing, knew firmly in his heart of hearts he was the most important chap on the field. Not an entirely unknown phenomenon among the more 'famous' brass.

I'll get my coat .

Cheers,
Adam.

 

Yep.That sure endeared the troops to him didn't it? Ol "Dugout Doug".

 

The man sure did have an ego LOL. But I think quite a few Generals over the ages had one. Sometimes just part of being a leader. . We all know that MacArthur sure had one.

 

Seems their is quite a bit of misinformation about Patton around , after a quick search i found quite a few " biographical " sites which claim involvement of Patton at Cambrai 20th November 1917 with claims that he led the British Tankers to " victory " which is patently untrue as the First large scale Tank Battle in History ( 476 Tanks used ) was a British affair they were led by the Tank Corps GOC, Hugh Elles, in a Mk IV tank called 'Hilda' who did lead the British Tank Corps to victory.

I agree with JCF he might have been an observer , to my knowledge no Americans fought in this action , however i stand to be corrected !!

Has anyone an official Biography of Patton who can shed light on this ? ?

 

"At the beginning of WWI, Patton was promoted to Captain, and accompanied Gen Pershing to France as commander of Pershing's Headquarters Troop, the first contingent of the American Army to sail to Europe. He requested a command, and was temporarily promoted to major and given command of the newly formed Army Tank Corps. Soon thereafter, as an observer, he was present at the Battle of Cambrai, the first battle using a significant number of tanks. After seeing the sheer terror on the faces of the enemy, and watching them surrender by the hundreds, or throw away their weapons and flee, he felt that he had observed the most epochal moment in warfare since the first cannon breached a castle wall. From that moment on, he loved tanks. He created a school for tankers, and trained the first 500 tankers.

He was wounded by machine gun fire at the St. Mihiel offensive, while personally directing tank movements. As the bullet had passed through his upper thigh, Patton, for years, would gleefully drop his trousers at social events to show his wound, exclaiming that he was "a half-assed general". The Armistice was signed the same day that he snuck out of the hospital to return to his unit. "

George Patton Biography - The Free Information Society

 

Stop it paul! the giggles really are taking over now.

Same as anybody's hero isn't it... hagiography is so much easier than any attempt to understand the actuality, and 'fans', along with the more voracious detractors, are to be treated with some mistrust.


And here's the man himself, just after smashing the world Tank speed record with 145mph in his own personally prepared vehicle.
Which he designed himself.
And built.
In a weekend.
Without tools.

I've been told rommel was also 6 times world ping-pong champion.

Cheers,
Adam.

 

I hope you don't think "Im a Patton lover"LOL. You should show him in the "uniform" he designed.

 

No worries on that score JCF, you're ringing faint bells with this uniform, any pictures?

 

Ill see if I can find LOL. It was a beaut!!!

 

"Patton actually designed a tank uniform. The uniform sported a dark green jacket and pants with gold buttons topped off by a gold football helmet...almost undoubtedly provided by Riddell, whose company was the only manufacturer of plastic helmets at the time. Patton used Riddell's helmet not only for his uniform design, but also during combat exercises and training in Louisiana. Several photographs of the day document Patton wearing Riddell's hard plastic helmets. Prior to and at the start of WWII, football helmets, including Riddell's, were given serious consideration as tank helmets but were in the end rejected, due to an inability to incorporate required military communications "gear. "

WWII U.S. PARATROOPER/TANK HELMET General George S. Patton / John T. Riddell

 

Please don't go! Here, I'm shifting a bit to the side, grab a cold one, sit by here and watch the movie. The popcorn's on me

See why I like Ol'George?

C'mon, is this thread about Patton, Rommel or Chuck Norris?