George Smith Patton, Jr., later to become famous as "Old Blood and Guts" during the Second World War, took part in Black Jack Pershing's 1916 expedition into Mexico in search of Pancho Villa. At one point, Patton and a small group of men entered a Mexican Hacienda in search of General Julio Cardenas, and Patton became involved in a close-range gun-fight with the Villistas. In OTL, he survived, and emerged something of a national hero for his courageous performance. But what if the Mexicans had shot a little straighter, and Patton took a slug in the brain-pan, killing him instantly?
How would this have affected the future development of the U.S. armored corps and the course of World War II? Who would likely have replaced him in command of Seventh Army in Sicily, and Third Army in France and Germany in 1944-45, and how would their performance have compared to Patton's? Any thoughts?
How would this have affected the future development of the U.S. armored corps and the course of World War II? Who would likely have replaced him in command of Seventh Army in Sicily, and Third Army in France and Germany in 1944-45, and how would their performance have compared to Patton's? Any thoughts?
