General Patton Slapping Incident: The Controversial WWII Moment

October 4, 2024

Key Points

What led to the accident involving General Patton?
General Patton's accident occurred when the Cadillac he was in collided with a U.S. Army truck at a railroad crossing. There are differing accounts regarding the speed; some suggest the limousine was moving at a low speed, while others believe Private Woodring, the driver, was traveling too fast given the conditions.

Why was Eisenhower absent from Patton's funeral?
General Patton had previously expressed a strong personal aversion to Eisenhower and Beetle Smith, citing an inability to dine at the same table with them. Before his passing, Patton explicitly stated to his wife, Beatrice, that he did not want Eisenhower or Smith to attend his funeral, stemming from unresolved grievances over being relieved from his command of the Third Army.

What is the reason behind Patton's burial in Luxembourg?
General Patton was buried in Luxembourg because it served as the headquarters for his U.S. Third Army during his command. The cemetery there marks his final resting place.

Was General Patton considered to be reckless?
General Patton was known for his aggressive and sometimes reckless leadership style. Despite his success, his approach often brought him into conflict with others, including General Bradley, who frequently criticized Patton for his impulsive actions and lack of restraint in his behavior and speech.

We've all heard about the famous generals of World War II, but few incidents have caused as much controversy as the General Patton slapping incident. This shocking event took place during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 and had a significant impact on the European Theater of the war. As we delve into this pivotal moment, we'll explore how a single act of aggression by one of America's most celebrated military leaders sparked a firestorm of debate and had lasting consequences.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at what exactly happened during the slapping incidents involving General George S. Patton. We'll examine the immediate aftermath and military response, as well as the public reaction and media coverage that followed. We'll also discuss the long-term consequences of Patton's actions, including their effect on his career and the broader conversation about battle fatigue and soldier welfare during World War II. By the end, we'll have a deeper understanding of this controversial chapter in military history.

The Slapping Incidents: What Happened

The General Patton slapping incident took place during the Allied invasion of Sicily in August 1943. These events, which occurred at two different evacuation hospitals, shocked many and had significant consequences for Patton's career and the broader discussion of battle fatigue in World War II.

The August 3rd Incident

On August 3, 1943, General George S. Patton visited the 15th Evacuation Hospital near Nicosia. During his tour, he encountered Private Charles H. Kuhl, who was sitting on a supply box. When Patton asked what was wrong with him, Kuhl replied, "I guess I just can't take it." This response infuriated Patton, who immediately slapped Kuhl across the face with his gloves ^[1].

Patton then grabbed Kuhl by the collar, dragged him to the tent entrance, and kicked him as they exited. The general yelled at Kuhl, calling him a coward and demanding that he be sent back to the front lines. What Patton didn't know was that Kuhl was suffering from malaria and had a temperature of 102.2°F (39.0°C) ^[1].

The August 10th Incident

A week later, on August 10, Patton visited the 93rd Evacuation Hospital near Santo Stefano. There, he encountered Private Paul G. Bennett, a four-year veteran of the U.S. Army. Bennett was huddled and shivering when Patton approached him. When asked what was wrong, Bennett responded, "It's my nerves. I can't stand the shelling anymore" ^[1].

Patton became enraged, slapping Bennett across the face and knocking his helmet liner off. He yelled at Bennett, calling him a coward and threatening to have him shot. Patton even pulled out his pistol threateningly, prompting the hospital's commander to physically separate them ^[1].

Patton's Reasoning and Reaction

Patton's actions during these incidents stemmed from his personal beliefs and experiences. Growing up, Patton had struggled with his own fears of cowardice in battle. Through sheer willpower, he had conquered these fears and expected the same from his men. Any display of fear reminded him of his own earlier struggles ^[1].

Patton did not believe in the concept of battle fatigue. In a directive issued to commanders on August 5, he forbade the use of the term in the Seventh Army. He viewed soldiers complaining of nervous conditions as cowards trying to escape their duties ^[1].

It's important to note that Patton's behavior during these incidents was not typical of his usual hospital visits. Generally, he would talk to wounded soldiers, express appreciation for their courage, and have his aides pin medals on them. General Omar Bradley, who knew Patton well, described him as softhearted towards his men despite his gruff manner ^[1].

These slapping incidents, part of the Sicily Campaign during the European Theater of World War II, would have far-reaching consequences for Patton's career and spark a heated debate about the treatment of soldiers suffering from combat stress.

Immediate Aftermath and Military Response

The General Patton slapping incident had immediate repercussions within the military hierarchy. The news of Patton's actions spread quickly through medical channels and reached the highest levels of command.

Eisenhower's Private Reprimand

General Dwight Eisenhower, the commander of the Sicily invasion and Patton's superior, received a report about the incidents on August 16, 1943. Eisenhower took swift action, ordering an investigation and sending a delegation to interview those involved ^[2].

In a private letter dated August 17, 1943, Eisenhower sharply criticized Patton. He wrote, "I clearly understand that firm and drastic measures are at times necessary to secure the desired objectives. But this does not excuse brutality, abuse of the sick, nor exhibition of uncontrollable temper in front of subordinates" ^[2].

Eisenhower made it clear that no formal record of the incidents would be kept at Allied Headquarters, except in his own secret files. However, he strongly suggested that Patton apologize to all involved ^[2].

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Patton's Apologies

Following Eisenhower's reprimand, Patton embarked on a series of apologies. On August 21, he apologized to Private Bennett, and on August 23, he did the same with Private Kuhl. Patton also met with the medical staff who had witnessed the events and expressed regret for his "impulsive actions" ^[2].

However, these apologies were not without controversy. Some witnesses, like Colonel Currier, felt that Patton's remarks sounded more like an attempt to justify his actions rather than a genuine apology ^[2].

Patton himself was conflicted about the apologies. In his diary, he wrote that he loathed making them, especially when he learned that one of the soldiers had allegedly gone AWOL and falsely represented his condition ^[2].

Impact on Military Operations

The slapping incidents had a significant impact on military operations in the European Theater. By August 18, Eisenhower had ordered the breakup of Patton's Seventh Army, with most of its combat forces transferred to the Fifth United States Army under Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark ^[2].

While this reorganization had been planned before the incidents, the timing coincided with the fallout from Patton's actions. Eisenhower had already informed Patton that his Seventh Army would not be part of the upcoming Allied invasion of Italy ^[2].

The incidents also affected Patton's future role in the war. Although Eisenhower chose not to remove Patton from command entirely, the controversy likely cost Patton a command role in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 ^[3].

Despite the negative consequences, Eisenhower recognized Patton's value as a military commander. In a letter to General George Marshall on August 24, Eisenhower praised Patton's exploits and his conduct of the Sicily campaign, particularly his ability to take initiative as a commander ^[2].

The General Patton slapping incident served as a turning point in the treatment of battle fatigue during World War II. It sparked a broader discussion about the welfare of soldiers suffering from combat stress and led to improvements in the care of shell-shocked soldiers in Patton's command ^[1].

Public Reaction and Media Coverage

The General Patton slapping incident remained largely unknown to the public for several months after it occurred. However, when the news finally broke, it caused a significant stir in the United States, sparking debates about military leadership and the treatment of soldiers suffering from combat stress.

Drew Pearson's Radio Broadcast

The story of the slapping incident first reached the American public on November 21, 1943, when Drew Pearson, a well-known columnist and radio broadcaster, revealed it during his regular 15-minute radio program on the Blue Network ^[1]. Pearson's broadcast not only brought the incident to light but also included some inaccuracies. He conflated details of both slapping incidents and falsely reported that the soldier was "out of his head" and that Patton had knocked him down ^[4].

Pearson's revelation came as a surprise to many, including the military leadership. The Associated Press quickly contacted the War Department for a response, but they initially offered no comment ^[1]. In the days following his broadcast, Pearson claimed he had cleared the report through the Office of Censorship and consulted with high-ranking War Department officials before airing it ^[1].

Congressional Demands

The news of Patton's actions sparked immediate reactions from members of Congress. Some representatives called for Patton to be relieved of duty and sent home ^[4]. U.S. Representative Jed Johnson of Oklahoma's 6th district described Patton's actions as a "despicable incident" and demanded his immediate dismissal ^[4]. Similarly, Representative Charles B. Hoeven of Iowa's 9th district questioned whether the Army had "too much blood and guts" ^[4].

In response to these demands, Eisenhower submitted a report to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, who then presented it to Senator Robert R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs ^[4]. The report detailed Eisenhower's response to the incident and highlighted Patton's decades of military service, concluding that Patton remained invaluable to the war effort ^[4].

Public Opinion Divide

The public reaction to the Patton slapping incident was mixed. By mid-December, the government had received around 1,500 letters related to Patton, with opinions divided between those calling for his dismissal and others defending him or even calling for his promotion ^[4].

Media coverage of the incident varied, with some newspapers publishing damning editorials while others were more supportive of Patton ^[1]. Interestingly, reports suggested that the majority of troops still supported Patton, and public opinion polls were trending in his favor despite the controversy ^[1].

The incident sparked a broader discussion about the treatment of soldiers suffering from combat stress. It brought attention to the issue of battle fatigue and led to improvements in the care of shell-shocked soldiers in Patton's command ^[5].

Despite the controversy, Eisenhower chose not to remove Patton from command entirely. However, the incident likely cost Patton a command role in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 ^[5]. The General Patton slapping incident remains a significant moment in World War II history, highlighting the complexities of military leadership and the challenges faced by soldiers in combat.

Long-Term Consequences

Effect on Patton's Career

The General Patton slapping incident had a significant impact on his military career. Despite Eisenhower's initial decision not to remove Patton from command entirely, the controversy likely cost him a command role in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 ^[5]. Eisenhower had already decided that Bradley would lead the initial invasion of Normandy, feeling that such an important operation couldn't risk any uncertainty ^[1].

However, Patton's military expertise was still valued. Eisenhower recommended him for promotion to four-star general in a private letter to Marshall on September 8, acknowledging Patton's "driving power" ^[1]. As the media attention subsided, Patton was informed that he would eventually return to combat command ^[1].

Interestingly, the Allies used Patton's reputation to their advantage. He became a central figure in Operation Fortitude, a deception campaign aimed at misleading German intelligence. The Allies fed false information suggesting Patton was preparing for an invasion of Pas de Calais, while he was actually training the Third Army ^[1].

Impact on Combat Stress Recognition

The slapping incidents sparked a broader discussion about the treatment of soldiers suffering from combat stress. It brought attention to the issue of battle fatigue and led to improvements in the care of shell-shocked soldiers in Patton's command ^[5].

Patton's actions highlighted the need for a better understanding of the psychological toll of war. His initial disbelief in battle fatigue and his harsh treatment of soldiers experiencing combat stress served as a turning point in how the military approached these issues.

Legacy of the Incidents

The General Patton slapping incident remains a significant moment in World War II history. It continues to be studied and discussed, highlighting the complexities of military leadership and the challenges faced by soldiers in combat.

The incidents had a lasting impact on Patton's public image. While some viewed him as a harsh disciplinarian, others saw him as a tough but effective leader. The controversy surrounding the incidents has become an integral part of Patton's complex legacy.

For the soldiers involved, the incidents had varying effects. Paul G. Bennett, one of the slapped soldiers, went on to serve in Korea and lived a relatively low-profile life until his death in 1973 ^[4]. Charles Kuhl, the other soldier, periodically found himself in the public eye due to his unwitting connection to Patton. In a 1953 interview, Kuhl acknowledged his struggle with war, stating, "I never did like the war or being overseas, and I never could get used to it" ^[4].

The General Patton slapping incident serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of understanding and addressing the psychological needs of soldiers. It continues to influence discussions about military leadership, combat stress, and the treatment of soldiers in times of war.

Conclusion

The General Patton slapping incident stands as a pivotal moment in World War II history, shedding light on the complexities of military leadership and the challenges faced by soldiers in combat. It had a significant impact on Patton's career, likely costing him a command role in the Normandy Invasion, while also sparking a broader conversation about combat stress and soldier welfare. The incident's lasting legacy serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of understanding the psychological needs of those serving on the front lines.

To wrap up, the Patton slapping incident continues to influence discussions about military leadership and the treatment of soldiers in times of war. It highlights the delicate balance between maintaining discipline and showing compassion in high-stress combat situations. The event's enduring significance in military history underscores the need to consider the mental health of soldiers and to develop effective strategies to address combat-related stress, ensuring the well-being of those who serve their country.