Let us suppose that Patton never slapped that soldier. Let us also suppose that Ike was killed, matters little how (Car accidnet, lucky German aircraft, etc)Who the devil would appoint possibly the most undiplomatic general in the history of warafare to such a diplomatically sensitive position, and why?
Let us suppose that Patton never slapped that soldier. Let us also suppose that Ike was killed, matters little how (Car accidnet, lucky German aircraft, etc)
Patton already looks better in this scenario.
Well, then we make the English situation worse, details to be determined. If the English were in a weaker position, they might njot be able to say no.Anyone...ANYONE would be better then Patton. The English would never accept him as C-in-C.
Let us suppose that Patton never slapped that soldier. Let us also suppose that Ike was killed, matters little how (Car accidnet, lucky German aircraft, etc)
Patton already looks better in this scenario.
Anyone...ANYONE would be better then Patton. The English would never accept him as C-in-C.
Agreed, the Brits didnt have the leverage to force the Americans to do anything from about 43 onwards, however, Eisenhower wasn't just dealing with the British, what about the French, Czechs, Poles and Canadians to name but a few. The allied forces in europe were a truly multi-national force of which the British were just the largest of the minor partners.
How would Patton deal with someone like DeGaulle for example. If Patton were running the show it is conceivable that the allies would have devolved from a relatively smooth running alliance to a fractious group of bickering factions.
Whilst being a good/excellent field commander (depending on your viewpoint) Patton would have been a disaster as head of SHAEF and the ramifications of such a disastrous mistake could be huge.
Agreed, the Brits didnt have the leverage to force the Americans to do anything from about 43 onwards, however, Eisenhower wasn't just dealing with the British, what about the French, Czechs, Poles and Canadians to name but a few. The allied forces in europe were a truly multi-national force of which the British were just the largest of the minor partners.
How would Patton deal with someone like DeGaulle for example. If Patton were running the show it is conceivable that the allies would have devolved from a relatively smooth running alliance to a fractious group of bickering factions.
Whilst being a good/excellent field commander (depending on your viewpoint) Patton would have been a disaster as head of SHAEF and the ramifications of such a disastrous mistake could be huge.
Would Patton have wanted to be Allied CiC in any case? It may be the top slot but it would have taken him away from commanding operations in the field.