What I Know of War (Bataillon's Memoirs)

Author: (American) Patton, translated by Zhuo Fu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: He is a humorous and witty person, with judgment, passion, and keen insight. Whether it's horses, racing boats, or archaeology, anthropology, he enjoys and is interested in everything. He is also a wise and strategic individual who dares to win. His bravery and decisiveness in military command can rival "Stonewall" Jackson. He has a distinct personality and shows no restraint. Around him, he could curse at soldiers, and soldiers could curse at him, creating a unique "fighting style." He regarded war as "the most magnificent competition of humanity" and took pleasure in winning the competition. He said, "Around here, it seems only I truly enjoy the fun of this damn war!" For researchers or enthusiasts of war history, World War II, Patton, biographical literature, or "competitive strategy," as well as professionals and non-professionals in the workplace. During World War II, General Patton fought across North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. During the intervals of combat or in intense battles, he wrote his own diaries. These diaries later became the "primary material" for writing this book. From July 1942 to three days before his fatal accident on December 5, 1945, he maintained the habit of writing diaries, sometimes "harsh in language" and sometimes "full of grievances." This is the only continuous record of General Patton's "battlefield conditions" during World War II, unaltered and unadorned, with extremely high historical and academic value. When Marshall took over Patton, he wrote three sentences in his notebook: "He can lead his troops through fire and water," "but he must be tightly tied by a rope," and "hand over armored forces to him at the first opportunity." If the battlefield is a stage, then Patton is undoubtedly a top-tier "dancer." His entire life seemed to be dedicated to war. The mere thought of going to battle excited him immensely, making his language more fluent and his spirit more vibrant. He was almost a fierce "bull." He possessed the kind of "courage" and "stratagems" that ordinary people did not have. The combination of these two qualities contributed to his later success. He said, "The best strategy to resist a competitor's strategic offensive is to change the rules of the game." He said, "Those who cannot show their true colors cannot become great." This is his "stratagem," which he himself called "cunning courage."