Answers
Specifically, I am wondering what is the name of the cowardly soldier whom General Patton slapped in the hospital and what became of him. I would hope that he became a good good soldier and went on to become a great man. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
There were two incidents beginning Aug '44. Patton & medical officer came upon an apparently unwounded man in an Aid Station. Patton slapped him and then issued a Divisional order to the effect that he did not recognoze battle fatigue as a reason for removal from the line. This man had Chronic Dysentary and Malaria so his "wonds" were not evident. The second slapping incident is where he struck a soldier and unholstered his revolver waving it about in the hospital at the man stating that he wished to shoot the man himself.
Among other results, Patton had to issue a full apology in front of his troops. It cost him much in his career.
An officer striking an enlisted man, not in his direct command, and not in combat showed very poor judgement.
He was an emotional and sensitive man, and the thougth of showing cowardice (his own definition of it) was beyond his ability to bear when surrounded by the other grossly disfigured battle casualties.
I know of no evidence that they were better or worse off for the incident(s).
War is about physical violence, and the incidents were blown out of proportion in terms of their actual outcome. It is no where near the same set of circumstances as an authority figure slapping a child in the safe circumstances of the civilian world.
intro of the film patton 1970
Patton is one of my idols. I think highly of both him and Eisenhower. I have to wonder what Patton would have done In Afghanistan and Iraq. Any thoughts?
Not political bullsh*t. Just a tactical discussion please.
Honestly, George Patton would have probably resigned due to the lack of support he would be getting from Washington. Washington, in their infinite wisdom always believes they can lead wars from their desks in DC, rather than listening to their generals on the ground.
I am trying to figure out what will save me money on my electric bill. Should I keep my air conditioner on or just leave my 3ft industrial Patton fan air circulator on? The air conditioner isnt very good, I can leave it on an hour and it wont even drop a couple degrees.
ac really does not drop the temp it removes the humidity to make it feel cooler the fan will use less electric
After the defeat of Germany Patton wanted invade Russia because he They were Communist and would be a problem in the future. How do think it would have changed things if he had been allowed to invade Russia?
They would never have made it as far as Berlin, let alone invaded the USSR. Patton would have got his **** severely kicked. The US army in Europe was not a match for the 2.5 million battle hardened men of the Red Army who had fought their way from Stalingrad to Berlin - often having to forage for food and improvise equipment and repairs. The US troops had only seen a few battles - D-Day, Falaise Pocket & the Ardennes - plus a lot of skirmishes.
In terms of equipment - the best US tanks were the Pershing - produced in very small numbers and the up-gunned Sherman - and that was only good in numbers. The Soviets had T-34s and IS-2 tanks - superior weapons in every way - and they were producing them at a rate superior to US production. Aircraft - the US might have the edge here - the Mustang was a superb plane - by the IL-2 and Yak-1 and variants were built in massive numbers.
Bombers the US had a definite advantage, but again the fighter advantage would have helped the USSR.
Artillery - when Berlin was encircled - the Soviets had a gun every 10 metres - they had 46,000 guns for the assault. And they were Red Army troops, guns and tanks from the Baltic coast, along the Elbe down to the Adriatic in Yugoslavia.
Leadership - the Soviets had some of the best Generals of the war - Zhukov, Timoshenko, Chuikov and Rossokovsky - Patton would have struggled against these men - even if he were given the resources.
In the end, war is also about not losing the political battles - Patton may have been a good general - but he lost his political battles,
The column gets strafed, Patton shows up, gets pissed, pulls out his revolver & kills the ass. His men push the carcass off the bridge so the column can move.
To Patton, there was no difficulty choosing. One animal or the lives of his men.
Too bad our socialist president would choose to 'negotiate' with the a$$ in the same situation.
I miss President Reagan.... (sob).