Gen. George S. Patton was an American General in WWII who played a key role in armored warfare. He commanded American forces in North Africa and Europe between 1942-1945. Patton's 3rd Army broke through German defenses in Normandy and pushed into Germany. However, his career was nearly ended after he slapped a soldier hospitalized for shell shock, accusing him of cowardice. Patton died in 1945 from injuries sustained in a car accident shortly after the end of the war.

1. Gen. George S. Patton Sara & Flo

2. Who was Gen. Patton? Patton was an American General in WWII. Born in 1885 in California and died at the age of 60 in Germany shortly after the war ended. He graduated from the American Military Academy in 1909 and served in WWI & WWII. At the end of WWI he established a tank training school.

3. Patton in World War II Patton commanded American Forces in Tunisia, Sicily & Morocco between 1942 and 1943. In early 1944 he was given command of the American 3 rd Army. Played key role in the use of Armour after the landings at D-Day. Armoured warfare speeded up the Allies and especially the U.S. advance in western Europe. Armoured Warfare or Tank Warfare is the use of armoured fighting vehicles in modern warfare.

4. Armoured Warfare at D-Day

5. Patton – a man with many abilities Patton always seemed to be ahead of other Allied groups. His tactics were uncompromising but undoubtedly successful. His 3 rd Army broke through the German defenses in the Normandy and cleared a path through northern France in 1945, it crossed a river and moved into mainland Germany and from there into Austria. “ We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me or get out of my way.” - Gen. George S. Patton

6. After the War Soon after the war was over Patton was made military governor of Bavaria but was removed from this position. At the same time he saw the Russians and their Communism as a bigger threat than the just defeated Nazis. As a forceful outspoken man he made as many enemies as friends. He was very popular for his uncompromising leadership.

7. General George Smith Patton Jr.

8. Patton’s Death In 1945 shortly before is return home to the u.s. the car in which he was a passenger was involved in an accident with a truck. Nobody except Patton was injured. He died weeks later in the hospital from from pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure. For a warrior such as Patton, it was likely not the final scenario he would've scripted for himself. As he once remarked: "The best end for an old campaigner is a bullet at the last minute of the last battle."

9. Patton’s famous Quotes "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his.“ “ A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” “ A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood.” “ if a man does his best, what else is there?” “ I do not fear failure, I only fear the ‘slowing up’ of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, “Keep going, someone must be on tp, why not you?” “ Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won with men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads. That gains the victory.” - Gen. George S. Patton

10. Most popular Controversy One of the actions of Patton which caused the most controversy: On August 3, 1943, U.S. General George S. Patton slapped a soldier who was hospitalized for psychoneurosis, accusing him of cowardice. The incident nearly ended Patton’s career.

11. The End

12. References http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/July-August-08/On-this-Day--General-Patton-Shocks-Public-by-Slapping-Crying-Soldier.html http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/george_patton. htm http://www.history.com/content/patton-360/general-george-smith-patton-jr http://www.generalpatton.com/biography.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton http://www.manlyweb.com/realmen/military/georgepatton.html