Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Picutes, Little text.
Review: 'Patton's Third Army' is a term unique in military history. The man and the army have been forever linked. Other armies fought in World War II, but their commanders never achieved the prominence of Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. It was his army and it fought as he fought; aggressively, and he kept the Germans guessing where he would attack next. Now, the story of Patton's Army, from its formation in England to its race to the German border, is told in Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond by Michael and Gladys Green. In clear text and numerous photographs, Green delivers an exciting, blow-by-blow account of the Third Army at its height as it barrels across France, hindered more by fuel problems than German resistance. Green's approach concerns the corps and divisions that made up the army and with Patton's spirit of fast-driving, rapid-firing warfare. After a quick introduction touching on Patton's life and his experiences in North Africa and Sicily, the book settles into a monthly tale of the Third Army. In England, Patton visited his corps and divisions and gave his troops his now famous 'give 'em hell' speeches. His main mission for the D-Day invasion was tricking the Germans into believing he would lead the invasion of France at the head of the First Army Group. Using fake radio traffic and phony tanks and equipment, the Allies lead the Germans into believing Patton was headed for the Pas-de-Calais, northwest of Normandy. The rouse worked. Hitler kept his 15th army at Calais while the Allies fought inland from their toe-hold at Normandy. Patton arrived in France in time to help Gen. Omar Bradley plan Operation Cobra, the Allies breakout of the hedgerow country where units were advancing only half an acre a day. With the success of Cobra, the Third army became operational and Patton began his dash across France. This is also where the book takes off as Patton's three corps, VII, XV and XX, come on line and Patton sends them racing from one objective to the next. Green does an excellent job of pointing out how Patton differed from his fellow commanders. As soon as Third Army became operational he pulled back all forward divisions and replaced them with tank divisions, guaranteeing more mobility and firepower on the battlefield. In fact, the book follows the tank divisions more closely than the infantry, highlighting their bold maneuvers, particularly those of the 4th Armored Division. From the breakout, the book follows Patton's pursuit from the Falaise Pocket to the Seine River to the fortress of Metz. The battles around Falaise and the Seine show the Third Army at its best. The sheer onslaught of armored divisions, supported by excellent airpower seems to just roll over the hapless Germans. It is at this point that the mighty Third Army out-ran its supply line while, at the same time, General Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to divert the bulk of Patton's supplies to Fieldmarshall Bernard Montgomery. From then on, Patton's campaign falls into a series of missed opportunities. By the time the Third Army is resupplied, heavy rains strain advancement while eliminating air support. The Germans, revived by Patton's pause, regroup to defend their ground better. Patton's campaigns of October and November slow to a crawl as casualties mount. But the Third Army, with Patton's iron will to fight despite setbacks, prevails and continues its mission of advance and destruction. The book closes with the first days of December, the last planned attacks of the third Army, before the German counter offensive would prove Patton's ability to deal with an enemy on the attack. Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond delivers a superb account of the Third Army's exploits early in European Theater of Operations. For a commander and an army so well known for success during the Battle of the Bulge, the book provides an excellent window to the success and experience that allowed Third Army to do so well in the Ardennes. The photos help complete the picture of an army and it's leader in combat. The book is a great introduction to combat in Europe. While it does not shed any new light on the subject, it is an excellent, one-volume look at America's most successful army in Europe and its colorful commander.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Picutes, Little text.
Review: 'Patton's Third Army' is a term unique in military history. The man and the army have been forever linked. Other armies fought in World War II, but their commanders never achieved the prominence of Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. It was his army and it fought as he fought; aggressively, and he kept the Germans guessing where he would attack next. Now, the story of Patton's Army, from its formation in England to its race to the German border, is told in Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond by Michael and Gladys Green. In clear text and numerous photographs, Green delivers an exciting, blow-by-blow account of the Third Army at its height as it barrels across France, hindered more by fuel problems than German resistance. Green's approach concerns the corps and divisions that made up the army and with Patton's spirit of fast-driving, rapid-firing warfare. After a quick introduction touching on Patton's life and his experiences in North Africa and Sicily, the book settles into a monthly tale of the Third Army. In England, Patton visited his corps and divisions and gave his troops his now famous 'give 'em hell' speeches. His main mission for the D-Day invasion was tricking the Germans into believing he would lead the invasion of France at the head of the First Army Group. Using fake radio traffic and phony tanks and equipment, the Allies lead the Germans into believing Patton was headed for the Pas-de-Calais, northwest of Normandy. The rouse worked. Hitler kept his 15th army at Calais while the Allies fought inland from their toe-hold at Normandy. Patton arrived in France in time to help Gen. Omar Bradley plan Operation Cobra, the Allies breakout of the hedgerow country where units were advancing only half an acre a day. With the success of Cobra, the Third army became operational and Patton began his dash across France. This is also where the book takes off as Patton's three corps, VII, XV and XX, come on line and Patton sends them racing from one objective to the next. Green does an excellent job of pointing out how Patton differed from his fellow commanders. As soon as Third Army became operational he pulled back all forward divisions and replaced them with tank divisions, guaranteeing more mobility and firepower on the battlefield. In fact, the book follows the tank divisions more closely than the infantry, highlighting their bold maneuvers, particularly those of the 4th Armored Division. From the breakout, the book follows Patton's pursuit from the Falaise Pocket to the Seine River to the fortress of Metz. The battles around Falaise and the Seine show the Third Army at its best. The sheer onslaught of armored divisions, supported by excellent airpower seems to just roll over the hapless Germans. It is at this point that the mighty Third Army out-ran its supply line while, at the same time, General Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to divert the bulk of Patton's supplies to Fieldmarshall Bernard Montgomery. From then on, Patton's campaign falls into a series of missed opportunities. By the time the Third Army is resupplied, heavy rains strain advancement while eliminating air support. The Germans, revived by Patton's pause, regroup to defend their ground better. Patton's campaigns of October and November slow to a crawl as casualties mount. But the Third Army, with Patton's iron will to fight despite setbacks, prevails and continues its mission of advance and destruction. The book closes with the first days of December, the last planned attacks of the third Army, before the German counter offensive would prove Patton's ability to deal with an enemy on the attack. Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond delivers a superb account of the Third Army's exploits early in European Theater of Operations. For a commander and an army so well known for success during the Battle of the Bulge, the book provides an excellent window to the success and experience that allowed Third Army to do so well in the Ardennes. The photos help complete the picture of an army and it's leader in combat. The book is a great introduction to combat in Europe. While it does not shed any new light on the subject, it is an excellent, one-volume look at America's most successful army in Europe and its colorful commander.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: Michael Greene'sOperation Cobra and BeyondReview by Charles M. ProvinceAs the founder and president of The George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society, I am obliged to purchase a copy of every "Patton book" that comes on the market, quality notwithstanding. Be it a well written or poorly written book makes no matter. Be it a pro-Patton or anti-Patton book makes no difference, either. Each and every one belongs in the Patton Society's library.I am glad to have the opportunity of acknowledging that Michael Greene's new book Patton's Dash Across France is one of the good books. It is a book I will purchase and be delighted to place into the Society's library. I heartily recommend it.Greene has taken on a very difficult job in that he has tried to squeeze the entire Third Army's World War II record into a mere thirty thousand word book. He has, however, admirably accomplished his goal.Greene's knack of understanding which of the smallest details are the most pertinent in relation to the overall "Big Picture" allows him to succinctly explicate the role of the Third Army in the overall European Theater of Operations and to untangle the complex organizational structure of Patton's Army. His explanations encompass all levels of command, from Army and Corps to Division and Battalion all the way down to company level and the infantry rifle platoon. Most people in the United States todayincluding many who have served in the military-possess very little understanding of the upper echelons of command, i.e. what commanders do and why they do it and how they accomplish the massive job of running an army. Greene has penned a book that is not only interesting to avid history buffs but one that could be used as a primer of military organization for neophyte readers.Greene gives explanations of some major problems encountered by the U.S. Army during its initial attack on the European continent. Problems other than those posed by the German Army. The matter of hedgerows comes to mind. Although hedgerows are mentioned innumerable times in many books, unless a reader has seen one, they probably don't really know what they are or what they look like. Dating from Roman times, hedgerows caused incessant and disastrous problems for the Allies both in time lost and more importantly lives lost. Ile hedgerows were easily as much a deterrent as were the Germans. Greene explains all.Patton was one of the first U.S. Army officers to fully understand and use airplanes for air cover. Greene describes the relationship between Patton's Third Army and Brigadier General Otto P. Weyland's XIX Tactical Air Command (TAC). Greene reports that when the Third and the XIX met, it was love at first sight. Patton and Weyland worked so closely together that Patton even used them for flank cover when Walton Walker's XX Corps lacked the necessary men and material to adequately cover the Loire River.For avid Patton fans the real story of Patton's Third Army starts with chapter three, Patton's Third Army On The Offensive. Within weeks of being unleashed, the mighty Third was attacking Germans on all four points of the compass. Aggressiveness was the byword of the Third Army‹infused by the most aggressive army commander in the European Theater of War.One of the most interesting parts of chapter three‹to me at least-was Greene's report on what became known as "Patton's Household Cavalry." Originally named the 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group, their name was officially changed to the "Army Information Service." It was a highly specialized unit that Patton used for the purpose of reporting activities of combat units down to battalion level. According to Patton, "You can never have too much reconnaissance. Use every means available before, during, and after battle. Reports must be facts, not opinions; negative as well as positive." Or, as Patton once summed up the purpose of G-2 intelligence units, "Information is like eggs‹the fresher the better."Another plus on Greene's side of the ledger is his use of Patton's quotes (both verbal and written) to simplify and explicate Patton"s actions, opinions, and personal thoughts‹the experience and beliefs that helped him to make his decisions and what he really thought of other army commanders and his bosses in higher echelons. The technique also gives the reader a good idea of Patton's personal leadership style.Charles M. ProvinceThe George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society