General George S. Patton was Not an Operational Artist: The Myth of Patton: Studies of World War II Campaigns, North Africa, Sicily, Western Europe Show That Patton Was Not a Military Genius

Nonfiction, History, Military, Strategy, World War II
Cover of the book General George S. Patton was Not an Operational Artist: The Myth of Patton: Studies of World War II Campaigns, North Africa, Sicily, Western Europe Show That Patton Was Not a Military Genius by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370535286
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: January 30, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370535286
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: January 30, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Since WWII, historians have lionized General Patton for his bold and daring leadership during Allied campaigns. His many biographers have highlighted his ability to instill discipline, remove incompetent leaders, and form an effective staff. While these attributes evolved in his persona through his military training, Patton applied his intellect to develop a deep understanding of the new methods of warfare that armies encountered on the battlefields of WWII. The application of operational art now required knowledge grounded in the close coordination of air, sea, and land assets to achieve victories at both the strategic and tactical level. While historical examples of daring victories demonstrate what western culture loves in a war hero, a critical analysis of Patton's actions reveal a more compelling story. Closer examination of his actions in the latter stages of the Tunisian campaign, during the Sicilian campaign, and in Western Europe from Normandy to the Rhineland, demonstrate that he excelled at achieving tactical successes, but did not perform well when integrating those tactical successes in campaigns to achieve strategic aims. Patton developed a reputation as a bold and daring leader; however, analysis of WWII campaigns reveals that he did not apply what the US Army now refers to as operational art.

1. Introduction * Background * Methodology * The Allied Approach to Operational Art, 1942 to 1945 * Patton and the German Way of War * 2. The North Africa Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 3. The Sicily Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 4. Western European Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 5. Conclusion

General George S. Patton was not the military genius that historians have made him out to be. Following the end of WWII and his death in 1945, the media, historians, and even former German adversaries raised his reputation to mythical proportions. Today, one still encounters the continued fascination with Patton in works such as Bill O'Reilly's Killing Patton, likening him to Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and even Jesus. This longstanding legacy begs the question of whether Patton really does stand among the great captains in history. Perhaps a combination of historical memory, media glorification, and American culture's affinity for the heroic figure afforded him undue recognition, diverting attention from other generals who performed (or could have performed) just as well or even better in WWII. His sudden death certainly seems to have contributed to his legendary status, further skewing the all-important perception from the reality of his capabilities.

As John Lynn wrote in Battle: A History of Combat and Culture, "the reality of war differs from the discourse of war and is to some degree countered by efforts to make reality better by conforming to expectations." Francis Ford Coppola's 1970 film "Patton" had a lasting influence on the public's perception, contributing further to the separation of the reality of Patton's generalship from the myth that such portrayals have created over time. The alteration of history and the misrepresentation of the past have a long history of their own. This led to a public memory of Patton as depicted in popular culture - which essentially depicted him the way.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Since WWII, historians have lionized General Patton for his bold and daring leadership during Allied campaigns. His many biographers have highlighted his ability to instill discipline, remove incompetent leaders, and form an effective staff. While these attributes evolved in his persona through his military training, Patton applied his intellect to develop a deep understanding of the new methods of warfare that armies encountered on the battlefields of WWII. The application of operational art now required knowledge grounded in the close coordination of air, sea, and land assets to achieve victories at both the strategic and tactical level. While historical examples of daring victories demonstrate what western culture loves in a war hero, a critical analysis of Patton's actions reveal a more compelling story. Closer examination of his actions in the latter stages of the Tunisian campaign, during the Sicilian campaign, and in Western Europe from Normandy to the Rhineland, demonstrate that he excelled at achieving tactical successes, but did not perform well when integrating those tactical successes in campaigns to achieve strategic aims. Patton developed a reputation as a bold and daring leader; however, analysis of WWII campaigns reveals that he did not apply what the US Army now refers to as operational art.

1. Introduction * Background * Methodology * The Allied Approach to Operational Art, 1942 to 1945 * Patton and the German Way of War * 2. The North Africa Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 3. The Sicily Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 4. Western European Campaign * Background * Narrative * Analysis * 5. Conclusion

General George S. Patton was not the military genius that historians have made him out to be. Following the end of WWII and his death in 1945, the media, historians, and even former German adversaries raised his reputation to mythical proportions. Today, one still encounters the continued fascination with Patton in works such as Bill O'Reilly's Killing Patton, likening him to Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and even Jesus. This longstanding legacy begs the question of whether Patton really does stand among the great captains in history. Perhaps a combination of historical memory, media glorification, and American culture's affinity for the heroic figure afforded him undue recognition, diverting attention from other generals who performed (or could have performed) just as well or even better in WWII. His sudden death certainly seems to have contributed to his legendary status, further skewing the all-important perception from the reality of his capabilities.

As John Lynn wrote in Battle: A History of Combat and Culture, "the reality of war differs from the discourse of war and is to some degree countered by efforts to make reality better by conforming to expectations." Francis Ford Coppola's 1970 film "Patton" had a lasting influence on the public's perception, contributing further to the separation of the reality of Patton's generalship from the myth that such portrayals have created over time. The alteration of history and the misrepresentation of the past have a long history of their own. This led to a public memory of Patton as depicted in popular culture - which essentially depicted him the way.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book A Guide to the Study and Use of Military History: Great Historians, American and World Military History, World War, Museums and Collections, Academic World, Army School System, Art, Field Detachment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book FBI Report: Crime in Schools and Colleges: A Study of Offenders and Arrestees Reported via National Incident-Based Reporting System Data by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Nasopharyngeal Cancer - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Building Corbett's Navy: The Principles of Maritime Strategy and the Functions of the Navy in Naval Policy, Sir Julian Corbett, Admiral Mahan, Stansfield Turner, Leverage of Sea Power, Navy Functions by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Seventy-Five Years of Inflight Military Aircraft Refueling: Highlights, 1923-1998 - Farnborough, KB-29, B-50, B-52, KC-135, Accidents, Southeast Asia, Helicopters, Persian Gulf War, LeMay by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Six Against the Secretary: The Retired Generals and Donald Rumsfeld - Army and Marine Corps Generals Speak Out During Iraq War Against Bush Defense Secretary, Standards of Propriety, Law and Theory by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Military Transport Aircraft - Operations Procedures, Aircrew Evaluation Criteria, Aircrew Training Flying Operations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Scout Sniping Field Manual - FMFM 1-3B (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Wernher von Braun: His Life and Work from German Missiles to the Saturn V Moon Rocket - An Expansive Compilation of Authoritative NASA History Documents and Selections by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The American Civil War (War Between the States): The Confederate Defense of Charleston, South Carolina - Naval Gunnery, Fort Sumter Union Defense, Du Pont's Attack, Amphibious, Submarine, Torpedo War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Blunting the Spear: Why Good People Get Out - USAF Retention of Best Officers from Combat Air Forces, Fighter, Bomber, Remotely Piloted Aircraft, UAV, UAS Communities, Avoiding Pilot Shortages by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Intelligence Role in Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - ISR, Targeting, Predictive Analysis, Gaps, HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, Counterproliferation, Chemical, Biological, Nuclear by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Army Medical Correspondence Course: Introduction to the Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist Career Field - Combat Service Support, Ethics, Standards, Established Practices by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The American Civil War Encyclopedia: Sweeping Account of All Aspects of the War Between the States - Army and Navy History and Timelines, Campaigns and Battles, Intelligence, Militias, Unique Stories by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Deterrence vs. Assurance: The U.S. Naval Presence in the Persian Gulf - Strategy about Iranian Aggression in Strait of Hormuz, Role of Saudi Arabia, Warship Deterrence May Be Misguided and Unnecessary by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy