XIX Tactical Air Command and Ultra

During World War II, General George S. Patton Jr. was one of the most successful and feared commanders in the European Theater. Clearly, his August-September 1944 rapid drive across France can be considered one of Patton's greatest campaigns. Early histories detailing Patton's campaigns frequently attributed his successes to his outstanding tank corps and interesting stories of his "sixth sense." The declassification of ULTRA intelligence, XIX Tactical Air Command reports, and post-war German interrogations provide additional contributing factors to his victories. These documents support a more plausible justification for Patton's apparent omniscience and the rationale behind many of his decisions. Students of history, who stood in awe of Patton's "sixth sense" or wondered in amazement of his ignorance/disregard of logistics and flanks, or marveled at his ambitious offensive drives, may find this study thought-provoking. This paper shows that Patton's "chances" and "risks" may have been a little less "sixth sense" or "ignorance and disregard" and a little more ULTRA intelligence and tactical airpower.