British observers of the US Army in action in North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe sometimes had the impression that they were watching a Hollywood production of `A Triumph of the Will'. They could never be certain what had been achieved and was real and what was a stage set, a Potemkin village for the benefit of `American Public Opinion'. The press made George Patton into a character from a Hemingway novel, and he played the romantic lead to the hilt. War had to be good drama which required red-blooded American heroes. Even if American performance was not perfect it must appear to be so. This could lead to deception and disillusionment if taken seriously.

 wrote Dominick Graham and Shelford Bidwell in their book Coalitions, Politicians and Generals.

Tag words: George Patton; Dominick Graham; Shelford Bidwell; Coalitions, Politicians and Generals; Eisenhower; General Lloyd D Fredendall; General Alexander; General Lewis G Brereton; General Pershing; General George Marshall; Field Marshall Montgomery; General Omar N Bradley; General George Patton; General Simpson; General Hodges;