Podcast #992: Patton and the Bulge: Blood, Guts, and Prayer

General George S. Patton's aggressive and action-oriented tactic brilliance is well known.

He was also characterized by a less-known, but equally important mystic piety.

These two qualities came together to form Patton’s greatest accomplishment during WWII, the liberation of Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge.

Alex Kershaw relates this story in Patton's Prayer, A True Story Of Courage Faith And Victory In World War II. Alex Kershaw shares the story of how Patton, after the Third Army's advance in Germany was stalled due to plane-grounding cloud and rain muddying the roads, commissioned a prayer that was sent out to a quarter of a million of his soldiers. This prayer was made even more urgent by the Battle of the Bulge. Alex also discusses Patton as a man and leader, including his reading habit, how he blended a profane assertion with a pious belief and a belief that reincarnation was possible, and what he did as the war ended.

Podcast Resources

Alex's previous AoM podcast appearances:>#361 The Untold History of WWII's 45th Infantry Division#514 Remembering D-Day at 75 Years#806 The Humble Heroes of Four of WWII's most Decorated Soldiers#953 Duty, Honor, And The Unlikely Heros Who Helped Winning the Battle of the BulgeAoM article: George S. Patton's MaximsAoM article: The Maxims of George S. Patton

Connect with Alex Kershaw

Alex's WebsiteAlex on X

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