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Honors Modern World History
08 March 2023
George Patton: A Determined Commander
Throughout WW2 George Patton, a US army general and later deemed commander,
forged new strategies and ideas that allowed his country to win the war. Although some of
George Patton’s methods of war may seem harsh, George S Patton played a pivotal role in World
War Two and his leadership had a large impact on its outcome. Patton’s strategic plans,
aggressive battle style, and innovative tactics all allowed him to successfully command and give
the victories of him and eventually the Allies as a whole. Patton’s aggressive command in these
battles, starting with Operation Torch, the Landing in Sicily, after which he was briefly removed
from command, Operation Fortitude, his intuitive use of his troops in the Ardennes Offensive,
and finally Operation cobra, allowed the allied powers to capture land, further relieving pressure
from other fronts and eventually defeating the Axis Powers.
Born in San Gabriel, California, November 11, 1885, young George Patton grew up
hearing stories about the Civil War, which ignited his interest in becoming part of the US Army.
These stories from his relatives prompted him to begin his life under military education, Initially
enrolling in Virginia's Military Institute in 1904. The following year however, He furthered his
military education by joining the US Military Academy at West Point1, from which he graduated
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Where Cadets train and graduate to serve as officers in the US Army
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in 1909. A year after graduating, Patton married Beatrice Ayer, who was a childhood friend of
his. After his participation in the olympics2, he was designated “Master of the Sword at the
Mounted Service School in Kansas,” where he both attended and taught swordsmanship at.
Patton began his military career in 1909, where he accompanied John J. Pershing to
combat the Mexican forces, led by Pancho Villa. Unsuccessful in expedition across villa, Pattons
aggressive attitude in the battle and personal elimination of Mexican leader Julio Cardenas, he
was promoted to captain by his superior, Pershing. Near the end of WWI, Patton accompanied
Pershing to Europe, where Patton would be the first officer ever assigned to the Newly formed
US tank Corps. His leadership in this corp sparked acknowledgement from other leaders and
created his reputation of knowledge in tank warfare. Following the war, Patton created a tank
school in Bourg, France. This is where he trained tankers and was a source of knowledgeable
pilots for the US army.
Patton petitioned the US Congress to create an Armored Division3, unsuccessfully, and
later wrote many articles on new strategies for tank and armored forces. Finally before the
tension brewed for WWII, Patton founded the Desert Training Center, in Indio, California. By
the time the US joined WWII, Patton was a colonel and had increased his knowledge of tanks
and tank warfare.
George Patton commanded many armies which had effects in many operations, each of
which added up to the victory of the Allies.
Operation Torch was an operation Patton, alongside British General Bernard
Montgomery and General Dwight Eisenhower, had a significant effect on. Patton specifically led
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Patton placed 5th overall in the Pentathlon, in the 1912 Olympic Games of Sweden
A division based on armored vehicles including tanks, where the tanks would be the main strength
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the Western Task Force. This was used to land in Oran, Algiers, and Casablanca, and although
his forces were effective, it was more an intimidation to the Germans and a morale boost for the
allied forces. His aggressive tactics allowed the US to capture the city or Oran and allowed the
allies to secure themselves in North Africa. His command allowed the operation to succeed and
was a major turning point because it shook Germany's “aura of invincibility”. This is because in
the Battle of El Guettar, Patton, using the knowledge of tank warfare, defeated the strong german
tank units. This gave the US soldiers a lot of faith in their fighting.
Because of his success in North Africa (Operation Torch) he was designated to the US
7th army, which he led to help in the Invasion of Sicily. Although he was given a plan for the
invasion, he was dissatisfied and stormed through the west to the north, liberating Palermo in the
process. This assault on Sicily “Won fame for out-commanding Montgomery during their pincer
movement against Messina.”4 The troops of both Patton and Montgomery started on different
sides, in the Gulf of Gela and the Pachino Peninsula, respectively. Both commanders bypass the
chain of command as Patton does not go for Termini, but instead goes for Palermo. Montgomery
on the other hand decided to drop parachutists and that his forces must get forward as fast as
possible to support them5. The competition between the two commanders was one sided at this
operation because Patton had been commanded to beat monty to Messina, which he did. On the
other hand, Montgomery, almost as if he was offering the prize of taking messina, suggested that
Patton use both roads to capture messina. This was surprising to Patton because of their rivalry,
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Patton and Montgomery had a rivalry despite fighting on the same sides of the war; Although there was a
rivalry, Patton was more aggressive than Montgomery
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Stated in Hulls “Operation Torch: Invasion of North Africa” both leaders defied their superiors in this
invasion
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but it was only caused because of Montgomery not wanting to lose anymore Canadian or British
casualties.
During his time in Sicily, He slapped 3 soldiers complaining of fatigue because he deemed them
cowardly. Because of this he was relieved of this command and had to apologize to the soldiers.
Operation Fortitude consisted of two parts: the North and the South. General Patton was
used because he was feared the most by Germany out of all the Allied generals. Fortitude used
fake military buildings and inflatable tanks to deceive the Germans into thinking an attack was
being planned on the Pas de Calais. The real invasion force was then allowed to land in
Normandy with a very weak German defense present there. Patton's fake army, known as the
First US Army Group, was created using things like these inflatable tanks, other radio
transmissions, and misleading intelligence like Patton's own words. Leaked photos (which were
fake) were also used to cement the ruse. Patton played a very important role in the deceit because
he made many public appearances in England and talked in interviews about the First US Army
Group being created. His status as one of the most successful and aggressive commanders in the
US army helped Germany convince themselves that the fake army was real.
The previous Operation, Operation Goodwood, focused German attention on the eastern
half of the allied bridgehead, which allowed Operation Cobra to occur. Its objective was to break
through German defenses, creating a gap which would allow Allied forces to advance through
German borders. This Operation broke the stalemate and transformed the slow-moving war into
a war where the regiments moved quickly. Patton led the US third army to fight and chase the
enemy across france. The push across France, led by Patton covered more than 400 miles in two
weeks, which was only stopped because he was ordered to send his fuel to Montgomery, who
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was holding Patton's left flank. His leadership also created a gap in German Lines, this allowed
the Allies to leave the Normandy beachhead6.
The Ardennes Offensive, aka the Battle of the Bulge, was an offensive made by Germany
which created a whole through allied lines. To relieve the allies surrounded by germans, Patton
moved north with the 3rd army to provide support. He and his troops were originally assigned to
hold the defensive lines to the South of the Ardennes, but he realized that there was potential for
a counterattack against the germans. His forces attacked the exposed German flank, dealing
significant damage to the German army. His leadership and tactical skill were instrumental in the
fact that he realized a huge counterattack could be performed. The besieged city of Bastogne,
which was surrounded by German forces, was relieved by pattons witful thinking as he launched
an aggressive attack which helped his troops link up with defenders in Bastogne. This also
caused the Germans to retreat back past the original German border, which Patton pursued past
the Saar.
In the push into Germany, Patton, who led the Third Army, played a significant role as he
had a mission to advance into Germany and capture the industrial city of Frankfurt. A large part
of his role in the push was his “turn to the north” where he pivoted his army to the north, which
wasn't the direction of his initial push to Frankfurt. Instead it was forced into German inlands. It
was very unpredictable and helped open up a new front in the war because the Germans were
caught off guard. However, this push didn't come without controversy. After his creation of the
new front, he was led to conflict with the General Dwight D. Eisenhower for not following
orders, although his pivot did benefit the Allied forces.
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Powers
Allies in Normandy would have died and the lives saved helped Allies eventually overpower the Axis
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George Patton and his Third Army liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp7, which was the
first Nazi concentration camp to be liberated by US forces. He later wrote in his diary that he had
“never seen anything as stark and evil as these places.”
George S. Patton Jr. Ended the war faster mainly because of how he approached new
battles. For example, in Operation Torch, Patton's contributions to the Operation were significant
as his leadership and tactics helped to set the stage for the subsequent Allied campaigns in North
Africa and beyond. Another reason is that General Patton's leadership and military skills were
critical to the success of the Allied invasion of Sicily. His aggressive style of warfare was useful
in overcoming the German defenses on the island and securing a critical foothold in the
Mediterranean area of the war. Also, his status as a very strong and aggressive commander
allowed Operation Fortitude to work. His Credentials made the deception scheme more plausible
and helped the Allied strategy in Europe succeed. Patton made a significant contribution to
World War Two by acting quickly to save the allies in the Normandy beachhead. The gap he
created allowed them to cover a lot of ground, which was important for their survival and
success in Normandy. This also helped the Allies win the war. His contentious approach,
nevertheless, also led to some disagreement and criticism, including one from Eisenhower, the
supreme commander. In The Ardennes Offensive, his aggressive approach and ability to quickly
adapt to changing circumstances were key factors in the ultimate Allied victory in the battle.
Finally in the push into Germany, General George S. Patton's impact on the push into Germany
was significant. His aggressive leadership and bold decision-making helped to open up new
fronts in the war and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory. However, his controversial
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a subcamp of Buchenwald; one of the first and largest Nazi concentration camp
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style also generated some conflict and controversy including one from the overall general,
General Eisenhower.
General Patton's knowledge in tank warfare, and strategic planning allowed him to think
and win each battle he commanded in. The education he gained growing up, the experience he
gained in his lead in the tank corp., And his use of strategy and support of other regiments meant
he was a ginormous part in the allies winning the war. Although he may have been a hot headed
commander or even an abusive one, his victories outweighed his social wrongings.
Works Cited
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Mar. 2023.
D'Este, Carlo. A Genius for War: A Life of General George S. Patton. London,
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Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/george-smith-patton.
Accessed 8 Mar. 2023.
"Life and death of George S. Patton Jr." D-Day Eye WItness Accounts of WW2,
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Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.
Smith, David A. George S. Patton: A Biography. Westport, Greenwood Press, 2003.
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"George Patton." Biography, 31 Mar. 2021, www.biography.com/military-figures/
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“The Romans – Food.” History on the Net © 2000-2019, Salem Media.
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operation-torch-invasion-of-north-africa/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.
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Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.
Atkinson, Rick. "Operation COBRA and the Breakout at Normandy." U.S. Army, 22
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Weigley, Russell F. Eisenhower's Lieutenants: The Campaigns of France and Germany,
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