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.
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.