George S. Patton was one of the fiercest and most fascinating figures of WWII. Nicknamed “Old Blood and Guts,” the fiery general was disciplined, devout, and damned good at using profanity. He relished the art of war and despised inefficiency, hesitation, or anything that stood between him and victory.
But in December 1944, Patton’s audacity was put to the ultimate test. The Allies had been caught off guard by a surprise counteroffensive in the Ardennes forest, and 20,000 American troops were besieged in the town of Belgian town of Bastogne.
As the Battle of the Bulge began, Patton was tasked with liberating the trapped soldiers. What followed was a masterclass in military leadership — and a great example of how one battle-hardened man can change the course of history…
Crisis in the Ardennes
On December 16, 1944, German forces launched a massive surprise attack through the Ardennes Forest. Caught off guard, the Allies scrambled to contain the assault — but chaos soon overtook them. Forced to call an emergency meeting with his generals, Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower outlined the stakes:
The Germans had encircled Bastogne, trapping 20,000 men of the 101st Airborne Division. The town wasn’t just a tactical prize — it was the key to the entire Ardennes campaign. If it fell, the Germans could sever Allied supply lines and force a prolonged stalemate.
Turning to Patton, Eisenhower issued a daunting order: redirect the Third Army to relieve Bastogne. As the army was positioned 100 miles south, Eisenhower estimated it would take at least a week. But Patton stunned the room with his reply — “We’ll be there in 48 hours.”
What Eisenhower didn’t know was that Patton had already anticipated the move. He had instructed his staff to draft contingency plans days earlier, so they’d be ready to move at a moment's notice.
As he left the meeting, Patton called his command staff with a simple directive: “Play ball.”
Lightning Response
The Third Army’s march to Bastogne was nothing short of extraordinary. In just two days, Patton maneuvered six divisions across icy roads, through hostile territory, and into position for a counterattack. This was only possible as his men had been trained to move with precision, discipline, and speed — hallmarks of Patton’s leadership.
But as they approached Bastogne, another obstacle loomed: the weather. On the eve of battle, thick fog and relentless snowstorms grounded Allied air support. Knowing just how vulnerable this would leave his men, Patton summoned his chaplain to say a prayer:
“Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee... grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.”
The next day, the skies miraculously cleared — and Patton awarded his chaplain a Bronze Star on the spot. With weather no longer a factor, his Third Army was free to advance on Bastogne. It was now time to see what they were made of…
The Path to Victory
As the battle commenced, Patton’s presence was an electric force on the battlefield. He was always at the front of the action, braving the bullets and mortar blasts while haranguing his men with his signature touch of inspirational profanity. Not content to sleep in the generals’ quarters, he instead took naps in his Jeep — red faced from the cold, but happy to endure the elements alongside his men.
Patton knew success hinged on keeping up momentum, and he expertly managed his men’s energy. Crucially, he knew exactly when to push them harder, and when to replace them with a fresh group of fighters.
By December 26, Patton’s forces had broken through German lines, liberating Bastogne and rescuing the besieged 101st Airborne Division. But Patton wasn’t finished — over the next three weeks, he drove the Germans back across the Ardennes. Allied victory was now all but inevitable.
Reflecting on the campaign, Patton called it “the most brilliant operation we have thus far performed.” It was a testament to his ability to turn preparation, speed, and audacity into victory.
Takeaways:
1) Be Prepared
Patton didn’t wait for orders to react to the German offensive. He anticipated it and had his men ready to move at a moment’s notice. His foresight turned what could have been a logistical nightmare into a seamless operation. Great leaders don’t just respond to crises — they plan for them in advance.
2) Lead with Confidence
Patton believed in his men, his plan, and his ability to succeed. His unwavering confidence inspired those around him, and despite his famous profanity, he was always level-headed under pressure. But most importantly, his confidence was earned — it was only because of his preparation and track record that he was able to go into battle with such confidence.
3) Seek Total Victory
Patton didn’t stop after he liberated Bastogne. He pursued the Germans relentlessly, ensuring their complete defeat. It’s a lesson in perseverance — true victory requires finishing what you start, no matter how difficult the final stretch may be.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, I’ll leave you with one final quote from Patton:
“Leadership…is the thing that wins battles. I have it – but I’ll be damned if I can define it. Probably it consists in knowing what you want to do and then doing it and getting mad if anyone steps in the way.”