Larry, I admire Americans more than any nationality other than my own. There is a myth that the American people love war. Mark Perry's splendid history "Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace (Penguin) quotes Patton addressing his troops just before D-Day:

"Men, this stuff we hear about America wanting to stay out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight---traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle."

To which the author, I think rightly, dissented: "No, actually we don't. Americans have traditionally hated war." That's one of the reasons I like Americans. I agree with you on the divided opinion. Sounds surpassingly civilized to me.

For all of Patton's erratic brilliance, it's interesting---I don't know what to make of it---why he brought up the ambivalence so late in the war.

Last edited by King Brown; 12/10/07 03:47 PM.