George S Patton: How Myth (and Some Deceit) Turned a Great General into a Legend
From The War Office · 1:00:27
Show by The Operations Room
General George Patton is both one of the admired and most controversial generals of the Second World War. He is known for leading American forces to victory in North Africa, Sicily, France, Belgium, and Germany but also problematic incidents such as slapping two soldiers in hospitals and launching a disastrous raid to save his son in law from a prisoner of war camp near the end of the war.We cover how Patton worked to create an image of himself during the war that did not quite fit the reality. After his death from a car crash in December 1945, others such as his wife Beatrice, fabricated evidence, and possibly destroyed it, to maintain and even strengthen the image, Patton made for himself.To better understand Patton, we look at his time as commander of II Corps in North Africa, leading the Seventh United States Army in Sicily, and how he led the Third Army in France, through the slog at Metz, during the advance to Bastogne during the Battle of Bulge, and the final push into Germany including the Hammelburg Raid. Finally the controversies about Patton’s death are debunked.Patton’s image continues to be debated, scrutinized, and defended. Myth and legend are still influential on how Patton is remembered. The truth reveals a far more nuanced picture of George Patton. Thanks to:Kevin Hymel who is a historian at Arlington National Cemetery. He is the author of Patton’s War: An American General’s Combat Leadership, a three volume examination of Patton. He co-hosts the World War II Live podcast with John McManus. He also leads the “In Patton’s Footsteps Tour” which visits locations related to Patton’s time as commander of Third Army in Europe.James Ellman is a historian and author of Patton Reconsidered, Hitler's Great Gamble:A New Look at German Strategy, Operation Barbarossa and the Axis Defeat in World War II, and Seeds of Victory Defeat, Triumph, and the American Way of War.You can listen to The War Office on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or The War Office Podcast YouTube Channel.New episodes will be released every two weeks on Tuesday mornings. If you enjoy the episodes, please help us grow the podcast by subscribing, liking, sharing, commenting, and listening to future releases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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