You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON’T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, “Well, your Granddaddy shoveled sh– in Louisiana.” No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, “Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Third Army and a Son-of-a-G——ed-B—-h named Georgie Patton!”
General Patton, Speech to troops of the Third Army (1944)
Something for the weekend. The musical score from Patton (1970). My Bride and I watched the film on Thursday evening of this week. I long ago lost track of how many times I have viewed this masterpiece, the first time being with my brother in its theatrical release in 1970. The film is as close to a perfect film as I think it is possible to get. A warts and all portrayal of Patton, it captures the essence of the man. In the title role the late George C. Scott gives the performance of his career, never making a false step. The supporting cast is brilliant, especially Karl Malden as Omar Bradley. The musical score is unforgettable and greatly aids the telling of the story of Patton in World War II.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQoB4K7QUs
Patton tends to be remembered for his flamboyant stunts, like the ivory handled six shooters he wore, but Patton was a solid, professional officer with a large streak of military genius running through him. His command of an army was like watching a Stradivarius being played by a maestro.
Patton was an interesting mixture of contradictions in his spiritual life. Foul mouthed even by the standards of an army known for profanity, and much too fond of war for a Christian, he also read the Bible and prayed each day. A firm Episcopalian, yet he also firmly believed in reincarnation. While in command in Sicily he began attending Mass, initially largely for political reasons to build a bridge to the Catholic population, but then found that he enjoyed worshiping at Mass.
In the film a German officer, Captain Oskar Steiger is depicted as being the expert on Patton. His closing observation on Patton is prophetic:
The pure warrior… a magnificent anachronism. The absence of war will destroy him.
My uncle was a medic with Patton. Being a gentle sort, he asked to be a medic so he wouldn’t have to hurt anyone. I’m guessing he saw more than I can imagine since he never spoke of his wartime experiences with anyone. Except that he was proud to say he served with Patton.
Those who see the most in a war tend to talk the least about it.
My dad, a member of the 35th Infantry Division, went from the beaches of Normandy to the Elbe River where they were forced to wait for the Russians coming from the east. He was at the Battle of the Bulge, among others. He might speak generalities occasionally but never in detail. When as a foolish young person I boasted about wanting to go to Vietnam. A man of few words, I shall never forget his only reply: “you do not know what you are talking about “. Like Patton, our families lost many in the Southern war for Independence
. And like many other, he dutifully fought for the Stars and Stripes. I find it sad that today statues of two honorable men were ripped down in Virginia: Lee and Jackson. Haven’t people realized the wokesters are communing for your heroes next. The Confederates are the low hanging fruit. Their honor largely forgotten among their own people. As Orwell said: “ he who controls the past controls the present”.
Suffice it to say we became one nation, Now this destruction to control the past so as to own the present. The point of no return approaches, I pray it does not come.
The point of no return approaches, I pray it does not come.
Amen.
Well said, JRP and Don.
On a peripheral note, in school during the late 1970s I became acquainted with one of Gen. Bradley’s grandchildren, who told me he, that is Gen. Bradley, had seen the film, and found it accurate in its overall portrayal of Patton and their relationship. One of my all time favorite war movies.