Author Topic: Patton- Crazy? (Read 1521 times)

fdiron · « **on:** August 29, 2002, 06:43:28 PM »

Was Patton's methodology of "Attack, attack, then attack some more" a valid strategy or a way to gain more glory for himself?

IMO, Patton was a bit on the crazy side. He believed he was re-incarnated, he was always staging things to make himself look noble or magnificant, and he appeared to have little fear of death.
His search for personal glory got in the way of being a great General, as opposed to just a 'good' one. The debacle he made of trying to rescue the U.S. POWs from a German prison camp(which his son-in-law happened to be a part of, what a coincidence) FAR behind enemy lines cost many American lives.

His soldiers called him "Old Blood & Guts- Our blood, his guts"

Animal · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2002, 06:45:31 PM »

Well, he always got results.

Anyways its not like there is any sanity in war.

Hangtime · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2002, 07:28:36 PM »

Never heard of a brilliant commander of an army in the field that was not a meglomaniac to some degree.

Plenty of worse examples of 'sanity' in the great generals pantheon.

Patton succeeded in his craft because he was, despite his personailty flaws, an excellent student of War. I suspect he understood it better than any of us.

easymo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2002, 07:43:43 PM »

My father-in-law worked for him. He couldn't stand the Gen. He told me most of Patton's men felt the same way.

Animal · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2002, 08:02:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by easymo
My father-in-law worked for him. He couldn't stand the Gen. He told me most of Patton's men felt the same way.

Was he squeak-slapped by Patton for shellshock syndrome?

john9001 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2002, 08:36:07 PM »

what would you rather have , a crazy patton or a incompetent lord mountbatton or a incompetent gen monty (python)

rogwar · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2002, 08:50:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Animal

Was he squeak-slapped by Patton for shellshock syndrome?

ROFLOL

DUCK AND COVER!

Seriously, fdiron I recommend reading some historical books on Patton, his biography as well as campaigns. You can get a much better understanding of the man than only what you see on The History Channel and like programming. It also helps to have comparisons like Monty (re Operation Market Garden), or Halsey in the Pacific, Bradley in Europe.

You may find it interesting to examine what the Germans thought of the Allied Generals in their analyses.

In summary, examine history carefully and then draw your own conclusions.

fdiron · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:00:50 PM »

My grandfather, who is 90 years old and still sharp as a tack, 'fought' against Patton in a training exercise in Mississippi. Patton maneuvered his tanks inbetween some hills and a deep culvert. Patton's tanks were then 'destroyed' by artillery fire by the group which my grandfather belonged to. My grandfather said Patton got so mad that he lost (or perhaps it was insane rage) that he insisted that everyone use live ammunition in the next exercise!

Animal · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:07:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by fdiron
My grandfather, who is 90 years old and still sharp as a tack, 'fought' against Patton in a training exercise in Mississippi. Patton maneuvered his tanks inbetween some hills and a deep culvert. Patton's tanks were then 'destroyed' by artillery fire by the group which my grandfather belonged to. My grandfather said Patton got so mad that he lost (or perhaps it was insane rage) that he insisted that everyone use live ammunition in the next exercise!

LOL!!!
Ahhh... good ol' Patton. Only tards like me would feel honored to go back in time and fight for him.

rogwar · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:12:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by senna
Who was the best US general WWII? I know jack about Generals, thats too upper class for me. Im more an NCO sorta guy.

And why?

Wow that opens a debate. I am fairly well read in military history and I believe such a title of "best" would be impossible to administer. Many had there good and bad moments in history. Sometimes the bad moments are results of poor judgement. Sometimes watermelon happens. Sometimes good moments are a result of pure luck or chance, depending on your philosophical view. Sometimes what in all rights is a bad decision for various reasons ends in an enormous victory. This is one reason why gaming theory became so popular with military science in this century.

easymo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:21:17 PM »

Was he squeak-slapped by Patton for shellshock syndrome

No. He is a well decorated war hero. What are you?

Only tards like me would feel honored to go back in time and fight for him.

Would you be honored to die for him. Thats how he got things done.

Animal · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:24:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by easymo
Was he squeak-slapped by Patton for shellshock syndrome

No. He is a well decorated war hero. What are you?

What do you care, and does it matter?

Back to the subject, I think Patton was a good general because he was aggressive. He didnt think twice to sacrifice troops for the sake of victory. That may seem dirty, but war is a dirty affair, and you have to win it.

edit- just saw easy's edit.

Would you be honored to die for him. Thats how he got things done.

In that war specifically, I would have died for my country. Not honored, but I believe I would have done it. Luckily, I dont have to prove it

Under what general, doesnt matter. Patton achieved results, and I agree with his views on warfare, so yes, I would have fought for him gladly.

This is moot, because he is dead, and thankfully, there is no need for me to try and be a war hero, wich in my opinion, is not the greatest of honors, just a dirty job.

easymo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:31:30 PM »

What do you care, and does it matter?

Well, your makeing some pretty bold claims. Knowing full well you will never have to prove them. I wond why anyone should belive you.

Animal · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:35:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by easymo
What do you care, and does it matter?

Well, your makeing some pretty bold claims. Knowing full well you will never have to prove them. I wond why anyone should belive you.

Why should anyone believe me? it doesnt really matter because as you said, I will never have to prove anything.

But for the sake of entertainment:

Knowing myself well, if I were to travel back in time and accidentally fall in WWII era and get drafted in the ARMY, I would fight for my country under the command of Patton. Sure, why not? What is so bold a claim about that? He is one of the greatest generals this country has ever produced.

Animal · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2002, 09:41:17 PM »

Oh, and to call anyone crazy in a war would be like handing speeding tickets in the indy 500