Full disclosure, I only watched a few minutes of the video. But I have to poke some holes in his theory of Patton irrelevancy. Keep in mind that 80% of the Wermacht was engaged on the Eastern Front. It stands to reason that roughly 4 out of 5 German generals were not concerned with Patton as they were busy with other adversaries. Those who did have to deal with Patton directly absolutely respected the man and regarded him as Eisenhower’s most dangerous commander. Von Rundstedt, for example was convinced that Patton would lead the vanguard for the invasion of France, and also that the attach would strike Calais. Eisenhower knew this and created a phantom army around Patton within striking distance of Calais. Fear doesn’t has to be widespread, if it exists in the mind of the enemy commander you’re going up against.
2 replies on “Myths of American Armor in WWII”
I’d almost forgotten this one. Its very good.
Full disclosure, I only watched a few minutes of the video. But I have to poke some holes in his theory of Patton irrelevancy. Keep in mind that 80% of the Wermacht was engaged on the Eastern Front. It stands to reason that roughly 4 out of 5 German generals were not concerned with Patton as they were busy with other adversaries. Those who did have to deal with Patton directly absolutely respected the man and regarded him as Eisenhower’s most dangerous commander. Von Rundstedt, for example was convinced that Patton would lead the vanguard for the invasion of France, and also that the attach would strike Calais. Eisenhower knew this and created a phantom army around Patton within striking distance of Calais. Fear doesn’t has to be widespread, if it exists in the mind of the enemy commander you’re going up against.