To be crowned a leader in any military in the world, it takes exceptional courage, valor and selflessness in one’s conduct on the battlefield. As it is commonly said that true leaders are seen in the time of crisis, George S. Patton used the Second World War to claim his space in the special book of the greatest American field marshals. The American his is littered with tales of fierce war with which the victory was determined by the shrewd, outstanding and unprecedented decisions by the leadership of the military. The actions of such leaders have remained a motivating and hinge pin in which the current military draws its lessons and courage. While General George Patton remains a celebrated five-star general whose actions in the battlefield remains an inspiration to the modern day soldier, it is worth unmasking the uniqueness of strategies as well as the challenges he endured in order to be an authoritative figure in the American military practice.
Patton’s biography
Born just 15 years shy of the 20 th century in California, General Patton early life was quite unusual as it was characterized by dyslexia for which he went almost undiagnosed. It is said that his health condition could not allow him to go to school until he was about 11 years of age. However, in school, he demonstrated great readership particularly in the military for which he excelled every level. His interest in military came as no surprise as he was privileged to be born a family enjoying extensive connection to the military, “during his childhood; he heard countless stories of his ancestors’ victories in the American Revolution and Civil War” (biography.com) and thus in the attempt to follow their footsteps, he enrolled Virginia Military Institute in 1904 and by 1909, he graduated U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Patton’s marriage to Beatrice Ayer did not shock as they were close friends since their childhood days. In addition, Patton’s astuteness was not only reflected in class but also in the extra co-curricular activities where his versatility saw him compete in the Pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912.
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Military Career
The year 1915 marked the beginning a series combat and military actions that would not only prepare Patton to his leadership in the battlefield but at a greater length test his skills and ability to endure tough times under heavy enemy fire. The battle against Pancho Villa at Fort Bliss along the Mexican border while leading a Calvary patrol saw his leadership mettle put strong test, but fortunately he lived to the expectation of his commanders and the spirit of the American military, though the mission was successful, Patton was later responsible for “leading a raid that killed three of Villa’s men;an attack that garnered much publicity and was notable for being the first time that automobiles had been used in combat by the U.S. Army” (Lovelace). His exemplary courage and skillful combatant with cautious aggressiveness and temperament as well as the ability to understand the battlefield, made it for him to rise through the ranks quite easily. In the wake of the First World War, Patton held varied leadership positions in the field, he started as a captain of the American Expeditionary Force serving in France, “In November 1917, Patton, now a major, left Pershing’s headquarters staff and became the first officer to be appointed to the new U.S. Army Tank Corps” (Lovelace, 2015). His role there included training and designing the uniforms for the troops as well as organizing the American tank school in Bourg, France.
General Patton’s military career was however not smooth occurrence, it was characterized by great successes and demoralized by a few incidences of disappointing ordeals. It is in the Second World War that he managed to carve his niche in the military history, he successfully marshaled the tank troops to victory in the invasion of Sicily in 1943. His bit of successes was also registered in the Tunisian desert in the battle of Battle of El Guettar in which American first tasted victory against the experienced Germans. In the battle “Patton’s discipline quickly paid off: after seizing an advantageous position from the Italians, II Corps halted the advancing 10th Panzer Division on March 23” (Yeide, 2012). His greatest achievements were therefore registered while in the command of the second corps main battle tank division. In 1945, “Patton and his army managed to cross the Rhine and charge straight into the heart of Germany, capturing 10,000 square miles of enemy territory” (biography.com) leading to the liberation of Germany from the Nazi’s in the process.
General Patton however, could have achieved quite a lot had he taken all his chances on the battlefield. His greatest failure, therefore, was influenced by his limited drive for success and extreme caution to engage his troops, “in March they failed to seize weakly defended high ground in Southern Tunisia’s mountains, near Maknassy, which would have allowed Patton to threaten the Axis troops fighting Montgomery along the coast” (Yeide,2012). His hesitant to take his chances allowed his enemies to restrategize and thus prolonging the war.
Major obstacles and advantages the leader faced
Waging a war in foreign territories thousands of miles of waterbodies away from home is so discouraging and quite a disadvantage especially to the young and inexperienced soldiers. For General Patton, the first world war presented very tough options for him as he had on structures laid down for it is the first time the Americans were deploying tanks in battle. In 1917, “during WWI, Patton was the first officer assigned to the new American Expeditionary Force tank corps” (biography.com). Rather than decry the tough condition awaiting him, he embraced the challenges and later turned into a leading expert in tank warfare, the skills that saw him establish the school for his forces. The new weapons of war came disadvantage in that Patton’s forces lacked the battle experience to counter the battle-hardened soldiers of the axis powers such as the Germans. Similar, the battlefield was characterized by heavy resistance and defenses by the enemies especially the German forces, while in the command the “Third Army approached the German border, the advance was slowed because of supply shortages, but it was not stopped until it met the strong German defenses at Nancy and Metz” (Lovalace, 2015). Other obstacles faced by Patton in the clamor for victory for his coalition and personal success included long hours of battle, losing soldiers and the limited supply of logistics.
Other than overcoming humongous obstacles raised on his path, the existed a number of boosts that slightly tilted the battle in his favor, first, the command of the allied forces were skilled and shrewd thus making it easy for General Patton to effectively deploy his skills, consult and take advice from brilliant minds, his argument “the tactics belong to battalion commanders. If generals knew fewer tactics, they would interfereless” (Henrik Bering, 2012) proves his belief in the command system and that further proves why he never defied his commander whenever he was advised of deployed. Another advantage that boosted the chances of success for General Patton the presence of ready, willing and equally resources allies such as the British soldiers who fought with him side by side, in the invasion of Normandy and Sicily the cooperation among allied forces commanded by Omar Bradley, Patton and Dwight Eisenhower demonstrated the advantage presented to the American forces.
Patton’s leadership and communication style
Till today, Patton remains a celebrated commander whose leadership and communication style formed the basis of modern day tank battle and the critical lesson to the military leadership. In terms leadership, he was regarded as fearless and aggressive leadership whose passion and drive to perform beyond the expectation of his bosses made to lead from the front. First, his leadership approach was pegged on the belief that the commanders had a good view and understanding of the battlefield such that it would be prudent to obey their instruction, he demonstrated this characters in countless instances. He instilled in his troop the belief of always being on the offensive as the sure meaning of derailing the enemies’ ability to wage counterattack or reorganize for stiff resistance. Under his leadership, the 3rd Army swept across France, he encouraged them to continue “capturing town after town, he asserted that "Keep on advancing… whether we go over, under, or through the enemy” (biography.com). His ability to motivate his troops despite the hardships faced such as the low fuel and ammunition, heavy casualties and the limited supply of food and water as the 3 rd Army in their invasion, makes him a respected leadership admired by both friends and foes.
The world-renowned leaders both in the military, politics or corporates claimed their fame from the ability to make wise and conscious decisions in the time of crisis and such decision be able to tiltthe course of the situation at hand. Such prudent decisions were backed up with the ability to assess the battlefield and take the risk as soon as they occur. For General Patton, his ability to take risk surpassed the imagination of even the enemy commanders. Bering (2012) observes that Patton would attack his enemy when the other fellow was switching to his back foot” and such courage resulted in the great successes that he registered in the battlefield. Moreover, Patton’s leadership was characterized by a very interesting relationship with his subordinate, he was well-known by his soldier, Major Jeffery Sanderson (1997) noted that His style of leadership was direct, yet contrary to popular opinion, he was an extremely sincere leader who truly cared for his soldiers.
The uniqueness of the general was also felt in terms his communication style, and just like any other command of the person in charge, the ability to communicate the decision and intent to the subordinates greatly determines the chances of success and the kind of perception, feeling and morale the team can have. General Patton of undoubtedly an exceptional character with great oratory skills and he unequivocally communicated his intent to the subordinates though is at times overwhelmed by his own temperance. In his monograph, Major Sanderson (1997) observed that “General Patton personally wrote the written Letter of Instruction sent to Major General W.H. Haislip, who commanded XV Corps,the initial paragraph of the letter clearly states the purpose of the operation.” Other than putting his communication in writing, he made follow-ups where he made physical appearances to underscore his position. Patton’s good communication skills so collaborate well with commanders of their allies such Bradley and Eisenhower.
Patton’s Leadership style against Bernard Montgomery
Both General Patton and General Bernard Montgomery fought side by in the two world wars, while Patton marshaled the American troops, Montgomery was the commander of the Royal Army of the United Kingdom but all were in the side of the coalition. Patton being just two years older than this his British counterpart, the two-fierce general remains respected figure not within their own homes, but also among those they waged war against. Interestingly, both commanders rose rapidly through the ranks at reached the peak of their military career in the battles of the second world war. One of the outstanding similarity between the two commanders was their aggressiveness and fearlessness to pursue the enemies and subdue them, Patton reported wrote to his wife that “when I’m not attacking, I get bilious,” (biography.com) a demonstration of a kind of a leader ever willing and ready to take on the enemy. Likewise, for Montgomery, he “restored the troops’ shaken confidence and, combining drive with caution, forced Rommel to retreat from Egypt after the Battle of El-Alamein” (Britannica.com). The two, therefore, though born thousands of miles apart and across a different period of tiem, their zeal, drive and ability to motivate their troops and ready them for war seemed to have stemmed from the same prototype.
Leadership is measured to a greater extent with the way the those in rank treat their junior, generally, a leader, especially in the military, need to put the interest of their soldiers first, lest they get demoralized or succumb to enemy fire. While Montgomery exhibit extreme caution while committing his men such that he would risk to engage them when they were fully in what Britannica.com reported that “he insisted on the complete readiness of both men and materials before any attempted strike, a policy that yielded steady, if slow, successes and ensured his popularity with his troops.” On the other hand, Patton caution was neutralized by the aggressive thought attacking the enemy just in time before they launch a counter attack, a belief that saw him continue his invasion with very a limited supply of armor and other logistics of necessity. However, though quite an assault-minded leader, he did all within his means to protect his troops, in one such incident he personally “shot a pair of mules that blocked a bridge during the Sicily offensive in 1943, halting his armored convoy and making it vulnerable to enemy fire”(Lovelace, 2015). Therefore, both leaders’ love for the subordinate was beyond question.
When it comes to corporation with other leaders and their subordinates, the two five star general read from completely different script, while Patton was raised through the American military tradition where respect is paramount and cooperation with other is a fundamental practice that every soldier must learn, Montgomery however, was the contrary, his career was littered with cases of arrogance and disobedience and complaint against him for later of cooperation with other members of his military and those of the allied nations. He constantly questioned the decision and actions of the command and always driven by the desire always go it alone. Though “a thorough strategist, often exasperatingthe patience of fellow Allied commanders” (Britannica.com). Such characters and conduct, therefore, demonstrated the weakness in his leadership skills making it difficult for him to command the same amount of praise as other generals of rank.
Impact of Patton’s leadership and military career
It is an indisputable fact that General Patton career in the uniform was a big success, not only for his own personal desire but to a greater extent his subordinates, peers and the military tradition. Having been the brain the behind the training school that revolutionized the tank battle and made American tank among the best and the soldiers second to none when it comes to tank war, his contribution to the service is just invaluable. Though his career was also marred by a lot of controversies with regards to the respect for human right, the unfortunate incidences one which two of his staff were of killing the prisoner under the instruction of the command, helped in nurturing the military tradition of accountability on the side of the soldier and developing the culture where those in command are able to take responsibility for their actions.
To his peer and the subordinates, his leadership style that was characterized by aggressiveness, valor and determination for success in whichever means possible strengthens their morale and willing to endure tough situations before enjoying the successes that came with it. His leadership skills made him a feared and equally respected figure in the battle figure, Bering (2012) highlighted that “the German leadership had encountered a particularly determined and daring opponent in the person of the commander of Third U.S. Army, General Patton.” Therefore, the leadership style of General Patton notwithstanding the few unfortunate incidences that engulfed his reign, it worth noting that he makes a contribution in inspiring and boosting the morale of many as his actions reflected self-sacrifice, strategy, perseverance and aggressiveness as well as the thirst for victory that every aspiring leader should note.
Conclusion
To claim a space in the table of respected military commanders whose acts of valor continues to make marvel and mesmerize many as if they just went to war yesterday calls for one to emulate the exemplary life of General George Patton. Looking at the achievement of the general against the obstacles raised on his, it is quite unimaginable that he conquered one territory just has he won any other battle. Patton remains a quick figure in the American history, not because of the successes he registered in the battlefield or decision he made, but because of the impact of his has actions has continuously made on the successive military generations in America and the world over. In 1945, the general faded away having succumbed to the injuries arising from a car crash was involved in, today, a monument stands in Avranches, France in honor of his great contribution to the war.
References
Bering, H. (2012, February 1). The German View of Patton. Retrieved January 16, 2018, from https://www.hoover.org/research/german-view-patton
George Patton. (2017, April 28). Retrieved January 16, 2018, from https://www.biography.com/people/george-patton-9434904
Lovelace, A. (2017, September 26). George Patton. Retrieved January 16, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Smith-Patton
Sanderson, J. (1997). General George S. Patton, JR.: master of operational battle command. what lasting battle command lessons can we learn from him . Manuscript, School of Advanced Military Studies United States Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Kansas.
Stout, D. (2004, June 29). Gen. George S. Patton, 80, Dies; Son of World War II Commander. Retrieved January 16, 2018, from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/30/us/gen-george-s-patton-80-dies-son-of-world-war-ii-commander.html
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2017, June 22). Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery. Retrieved January 16, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bernard-Law-Montgomery-1st-Viscount-Montgomery
Yeide, H. (2016, March 01). Patton: The German View. Retrieved January 16, 2018, from http://www.historynet.com/patton-the-german-view.htm
