The Armies of George S. Patton

by George Forty

US General George Patton was a hard-nosed old soldier, nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts". He had the ability to inspire and instruct, but was not easily accommodated by those above or below him. This study shows his military tactics, his relationships with his subordinates and his superiors, and his status as a master planner, strategist, tactician and charismatic leader. In two major theatres he proved himself more than just a cavalier warrior. This book attempts to throw light on one of the most remarkable figures in military history.

Genres: World War II

268 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

George Forty was a British Army officer who was the chief of staff at the gunnery school at the Royal Armoured Corps. He was later a director of the Tank Museum at Bovington.

Forty was a military historian and had written numerous books on military vehicles with a focus on armoured warfare.

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good look at how the U.S. army in World War II operated, explaining how each section (such as the general staff and quartermaster corps) operated, the weapons and equipment used, etc. However, most of the book seems to be about the U.S. army in general, rather than specifically about the Third Army. Also, the use of "armies" in the title seems a bit of a stretch, since the author spends far more time on the Third Army than Patton's other commands (the II Corps and Seventh Army).

[Mick Maye · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK as a history. Some over hype but he is American. However the book gives a reasonable assessment of Patton's role and how he ran his army.