Army officer who was an outstanding practitioner of mobile tank warfare in the european and mediterranean theatres during world war ii. Hermann balck, the son of a general, was born in danziglangfuhr, germany on. The country next to the name obviously designates the country they served for during the war. Patton, in lorraine before the battle of the bulge. Because of his great competence as a battlefield commander, patton might have led the american troops during the invasion of normandy. George patton was also the greatgrandfather of major general george smith patton, who died in 2004. During wwii he collected a large set of army decorations, gradually advancing to the highest military honor in the wehrmacht. Aug 29, 2014 many americans viewed this offensive as the latest evidence that patton was the u.
He had carefully studied the early blitzkrieg campaigns against poland and france and shared the conviction of the wehrmacht commanders that that a war of movement short, sharp, and furious. Following the breakout from normandy in late july, patton s army had swept 400 miles in one months time all. Jul 15, 2017 this is the story of general george s. What makes harry yeides 528page fighting patton a different story is that yeide, a military historian, has written the book from the perspective of his enemies, a unique twist that provides the reader a new historic viewpoint. Learn 10 surprising facts about the outspoken american general who fought in both world wars. Balck kept a close hand in the first armys operations. Perhaps most famous for his commanding of the 7th army during world war ii, old blood and guts often gave rousing speeches to motivate, inspire, and educate his soldiers.
General patton 67 success facts everything you need to know. Who was the greatest tank commander of world war ii george. Balck was the son of prussian genearl william balck, and he fought on all of the european fronts during world war i. Patton s only military defeat by warfare history network operation thunderbolt called for close support from the xix tactical air command and the use of. Balck entered the hanover military college in february 1914, as an officer candidate, fahnenjunker, age 19. George patton project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Buy general patton 67 success facts everything you need to know about general patton ebook at. Patton is one of the most famous american officers, and one of the most celebrated ww2 generals. Hermann balck, the son of a general, was born in danziglangfuhr, germany on december 7, 1893. Patton are part of an exhibit at the library of congress to mark the centennial of the u. Balck entered the hanover military college in february 1914 and during the first world war served in the german army on the western front.
June 26, 1833 september 25, 1864 was a confederate colonel during the american civil war. The german first army had lost the cream of its forces after september. Moved to the western front, balck fought general george patton in france. Knights cross of the iron cross with oak leaves, swords, and diamonds. Pattons bloody battle at fortress metz warfare history. An interview january 1979 by general hermann balck available from rakuten kobo. Balck briefly commanded the 4th panzer army in august 1944 before commanding army group g in france the following month where he delayed the american 3rd army, commanded by general george s. He served as a company grade officer in world war i, ending in. The real patton presented that speech on october 28, 1944, in france to the soldiers of the 761st tank battalion, the first. General george s patton talks about excellent job done by the third army during w. I have always wondered how this movie would have been if somebody besides general bradley would have been the senior advisor. This one battle proved why general george patton is a legend. The following units and commanders participated in the lorraine campaign from september 1 to december 18, 1944. During his extensive research through german wartime records, noted historian and author harry yeide has uncovered hundreds of unpublished unit reports, officer accounts.
Patton was a complicated military figure, but there can be little debate over whether he was quotable. But arriving with its lead elements was the division commander, hermann balck, who was about to. Patton was born november 11, 1885 in san gabriel, california. Patton iii was a highly successful and highly controversial general who held corps and armylevel commands during world war ii. Buckley dennis burns harry caubo elias crim leslie czyzyk. Jun 21, 2017 in the academy awardwinning film patton, the setting was all wrong when actor george c.
Hermann balckgermanys forgotten panzer commander by. This work provides an interesting view of german as well as enemy operations, tactics, strategies, equipment, weapons, a. General patton is recognized as one of the greatest military figures and this can mainly be attributed to him being one of the greatest leaders in military history. Balck was born into a military family his father had been awarded the port le merite, and was the author of a book on tactics. He was the grandfather of world war ii general george s. The battle of braunau, also known as the battle of braunauaminn or the battle of inn, was an engagement between the us third army and the german 6th army that occurred on february 7, 1945, with the americans liberating the birthplace of adolf hitler. Georg otto hermann balck 7 december 1893 29 november 1982.
Pursuing the life of a soldier from the time he was a child, george s. Balck returned to the eastern front to command the german 6th army in hungary until the end of the war. He had carefully studied the early blitzkrieg campaigns against poland and france and shared the conviction of the wehrmacht commanders that that a war of. Patton, and in late december he was relieved of command of army group g. He passed away from pulmonary embolism as a result of the accident. The greatest german general no one has heard of lieutenant. It was the last battle of the us 80th infantry division, who halted there. Hermann balck, the son of a general, was born in danziglangfuhr, germany on 7th december, 1893.
In the fall of 1944 balck went to the western front, commanding army group g against lt. O f the allied world war ii generals, george patton may be considered the most german. Fighting patton is the first to examine patton through the eyes of his enemies, the opposing german commanders. Patton was an outstanding motivator, proving this during operation torch in 1942, where he quickly motivated the demoralised u. George smith patton iv december 24, 1923 june 27, 2004 was a major general in the united states army and the son of world war ii general george s. British and commonwealth military figures, united states military figures, german military. Of these, yeide singles out general hermann balck, who performed. Perhaps veteran german commanders, looking back on events with distance and perspective, developed an appreciation for patton. Balck, however, ran afoul of german gestapo chief heinrich himmler and was unceremoniously fired by hitler in late december. Lieutenant general hermann balck, who took command of army group g in. Hermann balck was born on 7 december 1893 in danziglangfuhr, german empire presentday gdansk, poland. Born in 1885 to a privileged family with an extensive military background, patton attended the virginia military institute, and later the u. Hermann balck, who had expressed thanks for patton s mistakes in france, said years later, patton.
The short story is that he sustained spinal cord and neck injuries in an automobile accident near neckarstadt, germany. Patton s only military defeat by warfare history network operation thunderbolt called for close support from the xix tactical air. Lieutenant general george patton s third army had come a long way since it was activated on august 1 in normandy. Balck, hermann, born on 07121893 in danzig, into a military family his father, a general, had been awarded the pour le merite, and was the author of a book on tactics. Balcks fascinating account of his life and his combat experiences in both world wars comes to vivid live in this expertly translated and wonderfully edited book. November 11, 1885 december 21, 1945 was a general in the united states army best known for his command of the seventh united states army, and later the third united states army, in the european theater of world war ii. Balck was unable to stop the allied advance under general patton, and in late december he was relieved of command of army group g and placed in the officer. Shaffer is a library director and a graduate of duquesne university. Indeed, the idea of a german obsession with patton has become a truism in military history and reappears frequently in published works. Battle of gela 1943 12 july, hermann balck second world war, palm springs, california world war ii, places named for george s. Armchair general balcks order in chaos is an incredible surprise for those seeking fresh discussion on world war i, the interwar years, and world war ii. Georg otto hermann balck 7 december 1893 29 november 1982 was a highly decorated.
November 11, 1885 december 21, 1945, kcb was a general of the united states army who commanded the u. Balck returned to the eastern front to command the german 6th army in hungary until the end. Apr 26, 2019 10 things you may not know about george patton. Balck was unable to stop the allied advance under general george s. Just to have a poll that is not about the 2016 election for once. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia a field army or numbered army or simply army is a military formation in many armed forces, composed of two or more corps and may be subordinate to an army group. Dozens of books have profiled the charismatic, outspoken american general, george s. Patton was described as an intelligent boy and was widely read on classical military history, particularly the exploits of hannibal, scipio africanus, julius caesar, joan of arc, and napoleon bonaparte, as well as those of family friend john singleton mosby, who frequently stopped by the patton family home when george s. General patton 67 success facts everything you need to.
General hermann balck 18931982 was one of the best german field commanders of the second world war, serving with guderian in france in 1940, on the eastern front, and briefly in alsace in 1944. Meet hermann balck the trailblazing panzer general that. Apr 29, 2015 11 quotes that show the awesomeness of gen. Johannes blaskowitz as commander of army group g with the tough campaigner from the eastern front, general hermann balck. Seventh army in the mediterranean theater of world war ii, and the u. On may 8, 1945, the lieutenant general of armored troops herman balck ended his war by surrendering to the u. His military career was one of the most colorful of all 20th century military leaders. Hermann balck, who had expressed thanks for pattons mistakes in france, said years later, patton was the outstanding tactical genius of world war ii.
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