Asa-+Patton

George Patton

What continuity and change are you measuring?

George S. Patton JR. was born on November 11, 1885 in California. From his early years he had the clear cut goal to become a hero in warfare. His ancestors had fought in the Revolutionary, the Mexican and the Civil Wars. With this goal, Patton attended both the Virginia Military Institute and the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with great honors.

Patton's first taste of battle occurred in 1915 when he was part of the expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico. Patton gained recognition for his great skills and honor, he was later promoted to captain. In world war I Patton became the first member of the United States Tank Corps, He had full command of the Corps. Along with the British, Patton achieved victory during the world's first major tank battle in 1917. During the war Patton gained a purple heart from his wounds he suffered during battle.

In the inter war years Patton was later promoted to major. Patton and Eisenhower, who were very close freinds developed the armored doctrine.l This doctrine was at a standstill during the peacetime years before World War II but as trensions began to build, the idea of tanks became more critical to this new impending war. In 1939, The Germans were able to use their new tactic of Blitzkrieg to overcome and run over any opposition throughout western Europe, as the United states watched France fall to this armored attack, the need for training in Tank warfare increased. Patton took command of and trained the second armored division in battle readiness for the first American offense in North Africa. Patton's strategies changed everything that the United States military had previously thought of tanks. Using new technology Patton virtually wrote the manual of tank warfare for the US army.

North Africa: Patton was assigned the position of leading the first American force to fight in foreign soil of World War II. Being an expert of amphibious landings, Patton had the perfect skill set to carry fourth this operation. After a successful landing, Patton's quest began. After the American defeat of Tunisia,Patton was given command of the II Corps to right what was wrong. Patton did just that and defeated the Germans and sent them back to Europe.

Sicily: Soon after the Germans had returned to Europe, Patton wanted to continue up into Sicily. However, the British General Montgomery wanted to take the glory of Sicily. In a race of advancing allied troops, Patton used his idea of a constant relentless offensive to reach Messina, the northern tip of Sicily before the British did. This contraversial style of warfare drew many critics of Patton. He ground his troops to the limit to outmarch his ally for the purpose of full glory. His men had paid the price of a battle fought with little supplies while fighting uphill on less than satisfactory roadways.

European western front: After being a diversion general of the first assault of Europe into France, Patton was let loose into France with his Third Army. This Third Army gained the name of lucky forward because of the pace at which he fought. Patton went East, West, North and South to fight the enemy. Patton tore through France destroying anything that was German. In the battle of the Bulge, Patton blazed into the enemy lines to relieve the surrounded American forces. By 1945 Patton's troops had reached Czechoslovakia.

Eastern Red Army On the Eastern front the Red Army of Russia was forced to mobilize using their spread out road system, this resulted in a slow moving army. The Soviets, who had signed a non-agression pact with Germany had no expectations of any conflict with the Germans. As the Germans began to mobilize on the Eastern front, the Red Army took a defensive position along their border. In 1941 the Germans attacke d first, severing the Soviet communication lines on their western border. Next came a total Axis offensive against the Soviets that used their Blitskrieg and Luftwaffe to pound the Soviets. Using the old run and hide technique, Stalin ordered his troops and civilians back and to scorch anything of use to the Axis powers behind them. After a successful counterattack the Red Army began to turn the tide of this eastern front. The Red Army used tactics of maintaining an offensive, increased tempo in conduct of battle, overflowing firepower and increased penetration into enemy territory. Unlike Pattons army, the Red Army severely lacked armored divisions, interaction with air units for air raids, and had horrible small unit leadership. The exact opposite were staples of Patton's tactics. What the Red Army had an advantage in however was the lack of reliance of fuel. Patton's offensive was put at a standstill because of the lack of fuel as he tore through the heart of Europe.

Patton revolutionized the ways wars were fought in the way that he pushed forward in a total conquest. Patton was a man who was obsessed with the past, he believed he was a reincarnation from the ancient times who's purpose was to once again power through Europe on a blazing saddle while making his enemies fold. Patton was famous for his Ivory handled pistols in which were aways by his side. In return to America, he was celebrated as a great war hero, watch below: media type="youtube" key="uYjnWXFTQkM" height="315" width="420" align="center"

As the Allies entered into Germany from both fronts, the war was winding down. Patton, who was known to hate the Soviets felt that this was the opportunity to continue the conquest to take on the Red Army for a winner take all battle. Patton died within a year after the war was won by an automobile accident. His fame has lived on as one of the most controversial and pompous warriors in American History.

media type="youtube" key="H8VuJVffyhU" height="315" width="560"* *From the movie Patton

Bibliography:

Cofferoon.. "Patton Speech." Youtube. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU1vL3TsIis.

CMG Worldwide, Inc., "The Official Website of George Patton." Last modified March 23 2011. Accessed April 6, 2012. http://www.generalpatton.com/

Deadbolt8706.. "Patton Speech." Youtube. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYjnWXFTQkM&feature=related.

Province, Charles. The Patton Society, "George S. Patton, Jr.." Last modified April 16 2009. Accessed April 6, 2012. http://www.patton-mania.com/George_S_Patton/george_s_patton.html.

Kennedy, Hickman. Guide Inc., "World War II: General George S. Patton." Last modified December 12 2011. Accessed April 6, 2012. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/1900s/p/patton.htm.

Litlemacwwefan.. "Patton drinks with the Russians." Youtube. Web, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8VuJVffyhU.