George S. Patton slapping incidents
In early August 1943,
Word of the incidents spread, eventually reaching Patton's superior, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who ordered him to apologize to the men. Patton's actions were initially suppressed in the news until journalist Drew Pearson publicized them in the United States. While the reactions of the U.S. Congress and the general public were divided between support and disdain for Patton's actions, Eisenhower and Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall opted not to fire Patton as a commander.
Seizing the opportunity the predicament presented, Eisenhower used Patton as a decoy in
Background
The
Patton had already developed a reputation in the U.S. Army as an effective, successful, and hard-driving commander, punishing subordinates for the slightest infractions but also rewarding them when they performed well.[4] As a way to promote an image that inspired his troops, Patton created a larger-than-life personality. He became known for his flashy dress, highly polished helmet and boots, and no-nonsense demeanor.[5] General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the commander of the Sicily operation and Patton's friend and commanding officer, had long known of Patton's colorful leadership style, and also knew that Patton was prone to impulsiveness and a lack of self-restraint.[6]
Battle fatigue
Prior to World War I, the U.S. Army considered the symptoms of battle fatigue to be cowardice or attempts to avoid combat duty. Soldiers who reported these symptoms received harsh treatment.[7] "Shell shock" had been diagnosed as a medical condition during World War I. But even before the conflict ended, what constituted shell shock was changing. This included the idea that it was caused by the shock of exploding shells. By World War II soldiers were usually diagnosed with "psychoneurosis" or "combat fatigue." Despite this, "shell shock" remained in the popular vocabulary. But the symptoms of what constituted combat fatigue were broader than what had constituted shell shock in World War I. By the time of the invasion of Sicily, the U.S. Army was initially classifying all psychological casualties as "exhaustion" which many still called shell shock.[8] While the causes, symptoms, and effects of the condition were familiar to physicians by the time of the two incidents, it was generally less understood in military circles.[7]
An important lesson from the
Some time before what would become known as the "slapping incident," Patton spoke with
It has come to my attention that a very small number of soldiers are going to the hospital on the pretext that they are nervously incapable of combat. Such men are cowards and bring discredit on the army and disgrace to their comrades, whom they heartlessly leave to endure the dangers of battle while they, themselves, use the hospital as a means of escape. You will take measures to see that such cases are not sent to the hospital but dealt with in their units. Those who are not willing to fight will be tried by court-martial for cowardice in the face of the enemy.
— Patton directive to the Seventh Army, August 5, 1943[11]
Incidents
August 3
Private Charles H. Kuhl, 27, of L Company,
Patton arrived at the hospital the same day, accompanied by a number of medical officers, as part of his tour of the
Corpsmen picked up Kuhl and brought him to a ward tent, where it was discovered he had a temperature of 102.2 °F (39.0 °C);
Patton was accompanied in this visit by Major General John P. Lucas, who saw nothing remarkable about the incident. After the war he wrote:
There are always a certain number of such weaklings in any Army, and I suppose the modern doctor is correct in classifying them as ill and treating them as such. However, the man with malaria doesn't pass his condition on to his comrades as rapidly as does the man with cold feet nor does malaria have the lethal effect that the latter has.[18]
Patton was further heard by war correspondent Noel Monks angrily claiming that shell shock is "an invention of the Jews."[19][20][21][22]
August 10
Private Paul G. Bennett, 21, of C Battery,
The shells going over him bothered him. The next day he was worried about his buddy and became more nervous. He was sent down to the rear echelon by a battery aid man and there the medical aid man gave him some tranquilizers that made him sleep, but still he was nervous and disturbed. On the next day the medical officer ordered him to be evacuated, although the boy begged not to be evacuated because he did not want to leave his unit.
On August 10, Patton entered the receiving tent of the hospital, speaking to the injured there. Patton approached Bennett, who was huddled and shivering, and asked what the trouble was. "It's my nerves," Bennett responded. "I can't stand the shelling anymore."
As he toured the remainder of the hospital, Patton continued discussing Bennett's condition with Currier. Patton stated, "I can't help it. It makes my blood boil to think of a yellow bastard being babied,"[24] and "I won't have those cowardly bastards hanging around our hospitals. We'll probably have to shoot them some time anyway, or we'll raise a breed of morons."[24]
Aftermath
Private reprimand and apologies
The August 10 incident—particularly the sight of Patton threatening a subordinate with a pistol—upset many of the medical staff present. The II Corps surgeon, Colonel Richard T. Arnest, submitted a report on the incident to Brigadier General
By August 18, Eisenhower had ordered that Patton's Seventh Army be broken up, with a few of its units remaining garrisoned in Sicily. The majority of its combat forces would be transferred to the
Eisenhower's letter to Patton, dated August 17, 1943:[29]
I clearly understand that firm and drastic measures are at times necessary in order to secure the desired objectives. But this does not excuse brutality, abuse of the sick, nor exhibition of uncontrollable temper in front of subordinates. ... I feel that the personal services you have rendered the United States and the Allied cause during the past weeks are of incalculable value; but nevertheless if there is a very considerable element of truth in the allegations accompanying this letter, I must so seriously question your good judgment and your self-discipline as to raise serious doubts in my mind as to your future usefulness.
Eisenhower noted that no formal record of the incidents would be retained at Allied Headquarters, save in his own secret files. Still, he strongly suggested Patton apologize to all involved.
In a letter to General George Marshall on August 24, Eisenhower praised Patton's exploits as commander of the Seventh Army and his conduct of the Sicily campaign, particularly his ability to take initiative as a commander. Still, Eisenhower noted Patton continued "to exhibit some of those unfortunate traits of which you and I have always known."[34] He informed Marshall of the two incidents and his requirement that Patton apologize. Eisenhower stated he believed Patton would cease his behavior "because fundamentally, he is so avid for recognition as a great military commander that he will ruthlessly suppress any habit of his that will tend to jeopardize it."[32] When Eisenhower arrived in Sicily to award Montgomery the Legion of Merit on August 29, Patton gave Eisenhower a letter expressing his remorse about the incidents.[35]
Media attention
Word of the slapping incidents spread informally among soldiers before eventually circulating to
The story of Kuhl's slapping broke in the U.S. when newspaper columnist Drew Pearson revealed it on his November 21 radio program.[36] Pearson received details of the Kuhl incident and other material on Patton from his friend Ernest Cuneo, an official with the Office of Strategic Services, who obtained the information from War Department files and correspondence.[37] Pearson's version not only conflated details of both slapping incidents but falsely reported that the private in question was visibly "out of his head," telling Patton to "duck down or the shells would hit him" and that in response "Patton struck the soldier, knocking him down."[38] Pearson punctuated his broadcast by twice stating that Patton would never again be used in combat, despite the fact that Pearson had no factual basis for this prediction.[38][39] In response, Allied Headquarters denied that Patton had received an official reprimand, but confirmed that Patton had slapped at least one soldier.[40]
Patton's wife, Beatrice Patton, spoke to the media to defend him. She appeared in
He had been known to weep at men's graves—as well as tear their hides off. The deed is done and the mistake made, and I'm sure Georgie is sorrier and has punished himself more than anyone could possibly realize. I've known George Patton for 31 years and I've never known him to be deliberately unfair. He's made mistakes—and he's paid for them. This was a big mistake, and he's paying a big price for it.
— Beatrice Patton in the Washington Post, November 25, 1943[41]
Public response
Demands for Patton to be relieved of duty and sent home were made in Congress and in newspapers across the country.
By mid-December, the government had received around 1,500 letters related to Patton, with many calling for his dismissal and others defending him or calling for his promotion.
After consulting with Marshall, Stimson, and Assistant Secretary of War
Effect on plans for invasion of Europe
Contrary to his statements to Patton, Eisenhower never seriously considered removing the general from duty in the European Theater. Writing of the incident before the media attention, he said, "If this thing ever gets out, they'll be howling for Patton's scalp, and that will be the end of Georgie's service in this war. I simply cannot let that happen. Patton is indispensable to the war effort – one of the guarantors of our victory."[23] Still, following the capture of Messina in August 1943, Patton did not command a force in combat for 11 months.[50]
Patton was passed over to lead the invasion in northern Europe. In September,
By mid-December, Eisenhower had been appointed
Exploiting Patton's situation, Eisenhower sent him on several high-profile trips throughout the Mediterranean in late 1943.
It was during the following month of July 1944 that Patton and the Third Army finally did travel to Europe, and entered into combat on August 1.[64]
References
Notes
- ^ Axelrod 2006, pp. 101–104.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, pp. 105–107.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, pp. 108–109.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, pp. 96–97.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, pp. 77–78.
- ^ a b Blumenson 1974, p. 348.
- ^ a b Walker 2008, p. xiv.
- ^ Lovelace 2019, p. 81-82.
- ^ Wiltse 1965, pp. 171–172.
- ^ Province 2009, p. 26.
- ^ a b c Axelrod 2006, p. 117.
- ^ a b c d e f Blumenson 1974, p. 331.
- ^ a b c d e Blumenson 1974, p. 330.
- ^ a b c Axelrod 2006, p. 115.
- ^ a b c Atkinson 2007, p. 147.
- ^ a b Axelrod 2006, p. 116.
- ^ D'Este 1995, p. 901.
- ^ Garland & Smyth 1965, p. 427.
- ISBN 978-0-307-88876-1.
- ISBN 978-0-8204-7893-7.
- ISBN 978-0-307-77542-9.
- ISBN 978-0-19-978290-1.
- ^ a b c d e D'Este 1995, pp. 535–536.
- ^ a b c d e f Axelrod 2006, p. 118.
- ^ a b c Axelrod 2006, p. 119.
- ^ D'Este 1995, p. 902.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 327.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 328.
- ^ a b Blumenson 1974, p. 329.
- ^ a b c Blumenson 1974, p. 334.
- ^ a b c Blumenson 1974, p. 336.
- ^ a b Blumenson 1974, p. 338.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 342.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 337.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 341.
- ^ a b c Axelrod 2006, p. 120.
- ^ Hirshson 2003, p. 424.
- ^ a b Sweeney 2000, p. 158.
- ^ Nimmo & Newsome 1997, p. 274.
- ^ a b Edey 1968, pp. 160–166.
- ^ a b c Blumenson 1974, p. 380.
- ^ a b Blumenson 1974, p. 379.
- ^ a b c Blumenson 1974, p. 377.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 376.
- ^ D'Este 1995, pp. 543–544.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 378.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 383.
- ^ D'Este 2002, p. 442.
- ^ D'Este 1995, p. 543.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, p. 122.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 345.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, p. 121.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 349.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 387.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 399.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, pp. 390–394.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 407.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, p. 124.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 423.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 366.
- ^ a b Axelrod 2006, p. 127.
- ^ Blumenson 1974, p. 409.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, p. 128.
- ^ Axelrod 2006, p. 132.
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- ISBN 978-1-4039-7139-5
- ISBN 0-395-18498-3
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- Edey, Maitland A. (1968), Time Capsule 1943, London: ISBN 978-0-7054-0270-5
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- Lovelace, Alexander G. (2019), ""Slap Heard around the World": George Patton and Shell Shock" (PDF), Parameters: The US Army War College Quarterly, vol. 49, pp. 71–91, archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-15, retrieved 2020-02-15
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