"Brave and Bold - Patton"

Author: Liu Wentao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: World War II was the largest conflict in human history. In this war, fought between the fascist Axis powers and the anti-fascist Allies, the scale of forces and armaments involved, the vast geographical scope of the battlefields, the novelty of combat tactics, the magnitude of losses, and the profound impact were unprecedented. Although nearly 50 years have passed since the end of the war, with times changing and circumstances evolving, it still captivates numerous military strategists and historians, both Chinese and foreign, with its grandeur, depth, and richness, drawing them to explore and write about it. World War II provided countless soldiers with opportunities to showcase their talents and demonstrate their abilities, giving rise to a generation of outstanding commanders. Within the ranks of the anti-fascist forces, a group of brilliant commanders with remarkable achievements emerged, their names etched in history for their glorious deeds. The "Illustrated Series on International Figures of World War II" consists of 15 volumes, featuring 15 renowned figures, covering key political and military representatives from both sides of the war. These include books written by the popular international affairs expert and best-selling author Jie Lifu on the "Three of World War II" and the "Three of World War II," as well as others compiled by military historians on famous commanders of World War II. Patton was a legendary figure, dedicating his entire life to becoming a great commander, and ultimately achieving his dream. His life exhibited distinct personal traits, sparking diverse opinions. Many regarded him as "a genius in commanding armies and a vanguard with the most aggressive spirit," comparing him to "Napoleon of the 20th century"; others, however, viewed him as "brave but lacking in wisdom," "arrogant and superficial." Scholars specializing in Patton's life noted: "As a commander, General Patton's greatest strength lay in inspiring his subordinates with his own martial spirit and influencing them to fight bravely on the battlefield." In 1903, Patton entered the Virginia Military Institute. The following June, he enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His first year at the academy was marked by a focus on drills over mathematics, leading to his retention for an additional year. During his time at the academy, Patton set for himself three development goals: to excel in drills, to become a student adjutant, and to break the West Point track and field records to achieve A-grade athlete status. Patton's favorite motto was "Don't let fear govern you." In 1909, Patton graduated from West Point and served in the cavalry of Illinois, earning the rank of second lieutenant. The following year, he married the wealthy Beatrice. In 1911, Patton was assigned to Fort Meade near Washington D.C., where he gained more opportunities to interact with government officials, serving successively as an aide to General of the Army Wood and Secretary of War Stimson. Patton believed that the capital was "closer to God than any other place, and ambitious people should settle there." During this period, he not only devoted himself to military studies but also participated in equestrian competitions, finishing fifth. On his way back, he improved his swordsmanship at the cavalry school in Saumur and traveled by automobile to examine European battlefields. Later, he earned the title of master swordsman and enrolled in the cavalry school for further studies. In 1915, Patton was transferred to Fort Bliss under the command of General Pershing. The following year, he joined Pershing in the Mexican War. In 1917, after the United States entered World War I, Patton served as an aide to General Pershing, the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, and was promoted to first lieutenant. He was later authorized to command a tank unit. Patton attended tank schools in both Britain and France, studying tank technology and battle cases, exploring the principles of tank warfare. In early 1918, Patton established a tank training center near Langres, utilizing 22 tanks donated by France to conduct training. He was successively promoted to major and lieutenant colonel. That same year, in June, he completed the formation of six tank battalions; in August, he led a tank brigade in the Saint-Mihiel offensive; and in September, he was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in battle. For his meritorious service, Patton received the Distinguished Service Cross and was promoted to colonel. In 1919, Patton was assigned to the U.S. Tank Training Center at Fort Meade, where he worked alongside Eisenhower, losing his temporary colonel rank to become a major. From 1920 to 1940, when he returned to Fort Benning, Patton was transferred 10 times, holding over 10 different command and staff positions. He pursued advanced studies at the cavalry school, the Army Command and General Staff School, and the Army War College. Patton actively and energetically led drills, diligently worked at his desk, devoted himself to continuous learning and research, and frequently participated in various sports competitions. The majority of the books in Patton's library were historical and military works. He published dozens of military papers to express his views. Patton believed, "War can be fought with weapons, but victory is achieved through people. To win, both the commanders and the led must possess strong morale." "Tanks are a highly technical and powerful weapon. With suitable terrain and assigned tasks, tank units can play a decisive role in battles alongside infantry and cavalry," he argued. "Therefore, tank units are now needed as a special mobile reserve for the command." General Smith of the Hawaiian Command remarked on Patton: "This man would be invaluable in wartime but a troublemaker in peacetime." Patton, however, considered this a great compliment.