From Grok:
Yes, George Patton did express sentiments that could be interpreted as suggesting the United States fought on the wrong side in World War II, particularly in relation to his views on the Soviet Union and the post-war geopolitical landscape. However, it’s important to contextualize these statements within the broader scope of his beliefs and the historical record.
Patton was known for his strong anti-communist stance and his frustration with the Allied strategy that led to the division of Germany and the rise of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. In his diaries and letters, Patton expressed regret over the outcome of the war, particularly the empowerment of the Soviet Union. For instance, he wrote in his diary about the Yalta Conference, criticizing the decisions that he believed handed Eastern Europe to the Soviets. He also made statements questioning the denazification process in Germany, comparing Nazis to Democrats and Republicans, which caused significant controversy and led to his relief from command as military governor of Bavaria.
One of the most cited pieces of evidence for Patton’s alleged belief that the U.S. fought on the wrong side comes from a quote attributed to him in various sources, suggesting he believed the U.S. should have aligned with Germany against the Soviet Union. However, the exact wording and context of these statements are often debated, and some historians argue that Patton’s comments were more about his tactical and strategic disagreements rather than a wholesale endorsement of the Nazi regime.
It’s also worth noting that Patton’s views were complex and sometimes contradictory. While he was critical of the Soviet Union and the post-war settlements, he was also a staunch advocate for the defeat of Nazi Germany during the war itself. His statements after the war reflect a mix of frustration with the geopolitical outcomes and his own personal disillusionment with his role in the post-war period.
In summary, while Patton did express regret and frustration over the outcome of World War II and the rise of Soviet power, attributing a clear-cut statement that the U.S. fought on the “wrong side” oversimplifies his views. His comments were more about his dissatisfaction with the post-war world order and his anti-communist sentiments rather than a rejection of the fight against Nazi Germany during the war itself.
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What would cause Patton to believe this?
Much has been made about Patton’s comments. I know very little about him. I’ll say this, “War Is A Racket” by General Smedley Butler should be required reading. It is not complicated at all contrasting what has been attributed to Patton’s comments.
Ummm … the Yalta Conference ?
A Soviet communist, an American communist, and a British liberal imperialist divide the cheese …
Winner winner chicken dinner!
The amount of leaders that have expressed regret and warnings about the MIC (or various versions of it), should tell everyone just how bad it really is. Look at the most recent one: Elon Musk, same, same. These people were on the inside, saw the sausage being made, and tried to warn us, at great risk to themselves.
The fact that the very organism we were warned against has stifled those voices, twisted and manipulated them, and threatened the speakers, should only serve to reinforce the warnings. Instead their efforts have WORKED! Jingoism is abundant, the average American still supports the military adventures governments take, all while actual military service members and veterans almost universally mimic the warnings we’ve been given about how corrupt and pointless it all is.
People are stupid, and easily controlled. That’s the problem. The gene pool needs a shot of bleach, “Idiocracy” was a premonition.
Yes, General Patton did say that, actually he wrote it in a letter to his wife.
You can actually read the PDF of his letters to her, if you can still locate them s
What Patton was saying was that people like Harry Dexter White and Harry Hopkins weren’t working for the Nazis . We defeated the enemy at 800 yard and let the enemy at 100 close.
He performed his duties well. But he was objective, learned, observational and a great student of history. Those ingredients have proven more accurate than any Monday quarter backing. And like John the Baptist; a lone voice in a world hell bent on an opposite agenda.
It does not matter to me what Patton thought. It’s about what we think as individuals.
Stan is correct, war is a racket, and Zelensky has made a fortune
Magrit, thank you for taking the time to share that.
Sounds like Patton was saying we got in bed with the Devil to defeat Satan and save the people that killed Jesus. As an anti-semite, I’m not sure Patton was only worried about the Soviets. Looking back on how things turned out his concerns had merit. Unfortunately there are no perfect solutions only compromises.
What he should have been concerned about was how the bankers were playing both sides. Because as we see in Ukraine, war is not cheap. But just imagine what our lives would be like today if we had let the Nazis take over the world. Because after Europe we were next. I mean does anybody really believe Japan was serious about conquering the US? Roosevelt was choking out Japan’s imperialistic ambitions. What was that about? One could say Roosevelt was anti-Asian worried about an Asian nation as a global power. On this front we just traded Japan for China in the end. You can thank Nixon for that one. So both theaters of that war ended up trading one monster for another.