Can someone tell me how it was possible for General Patton to be one of, if no the only, American to advance so quick over vast areas, while defeating the enemy at the same time.  This is something that I have long pondered.  I don't know why more generals didn't follow his example; it obviously worked.  Anyway, can someone also tell me of a website or book that is devoted to the battles that Patton was involved in, and info on it. Also, in the movie Patton, in part where her defeats the advancing Germans in the desert, he says that he Read Rommel's book.  Earlier in the movie you could see him reading the book that Rommel wrote about tank warfare. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this, and if so is it possible to get a copy of this book somehow.  Thanks for any help with the questions above.                            .....................DT

  Patton did read Rommel's Book while in North Africa, but it was Infantry Grief An or Infantry Attacks - Rommel's memoirs of his WW I experiences and how he approached a tactical problem.  Rommel was a mountain infantry officer during the Great War.    There are easily several sources to get Infantry Attacks by Erwin Rommel. The Military Book club carries the Greenwood edition.  Any guess how I know? Wish you were here!  V-Man <*         A Knight is sworn to Valor,  His Heart knows only Virtue =/=         His Blade defends the Weak, His Word speaks only Truth (-o-)        His Wrath undoes the Wicked  

Also, in the movie Patton, in part where her defeats the advancing Germans in the desert, he says that he Read Rommel's book. Forget that silly movie!  There are many exaggerations, distortions, and outright falsehoods in that movie such as: Karl Malden as Omar Bradley exclaiming how the German tanks were diesel powered, (they actually had gasoline engines), etc.  George C. Scott did however, do a good job capturing some of the intensity in Patton's personality. Rommel's book, which was printed (in German) in 1937 was en_title_d: Infanterie Greift An or Infantry Attacks.  Rommel was an infantry officer during WW1 and had an extremely 'interesting' war.  If his book can be believed, he was a great practitioner of infiltration and surprise and responsible for many outstanding tactical successes for his battalion.  There is absolutely nothing about tank warfare in the book.  Of course infiltration and surprise are good tactics for tanks too, but if Patton actually read Rommel's book he probably did so to divine something of Rommel's character and personality.  An English version of the book is available as:   Attacks by FM Erwin Rommel, published by Athena Press, 1979.  It is an excellent read! Regards, Tim Parker

if no the only, American to advance so quick over vast areas, while defeating the enemy at the same time.  This is something that I have long pondered.  I don't know why more generals didn't follow his example; it obviously worked. Many elements were at work in Gen Patton's success. An admixture of ego (or self-confidence), hard work, learning (through reading, service under capable senior officers, staff schooling and War College) and a conviction from an early age that he desired above all else to be a success as a soldier and was destined to lead an army or armies into battle. At a time when many a candidate for military academies was motivated by the prospects of a free education and a degree in engineering, Patton was motivated by a desire to learn how to make war, and was unconcerned with such things as pensions and a secure occupation after leaving the army. Gen Patton was not averse to accepting risk, either on a personal level or in combat.  Many of his contemporaries were. Apparently Gen Patton saw himself as a cut above many of his contemporaries in terms of practical generalship. In terms of kn owing his troops, of being willing to try something unconventional, or recognizing the unforgiving moment and capitalizing on it with speedy action, he seems to have been so.  The general embraced light and heavy artillery and tactical (though not so much strategic) airpower as powerful adjuncts to infantry warfare. Note also that Gen Patton was at heart a cavalryman; his tactics in Sicily and nw Europe emphasized acceptance of risk, and speed, mobility and maneuver in operations over firepower. Gen Patton had had good examples to follow in terms of soldiers under which he served. Their best qualities were those he tried to emulate. Probably the most significant influence over Pattton's soldierly behavior was that of Gen Pershing, who made it a point to keep fit, to always dress immaculately, to attend to every duty with the same tenacity

[Patton} says that he Read Rommel's book. I believe you are referring to Infantry Greift An'  i.e. Infantry Attacks, the only book that Rommel ever wrote and in which he relates his exploits as an infantry officer in WWI.  It was widely read then as a standard reference on infantry battle tactics and is still available: Erwin Rommel, Infantry Attacks, London, Greenhill Books, 1190, ISBN0-89141-385-5