…. Pray for Fair Weather.
"On October 22, 1944, Patton met with his commander, General Omar Bradley, and Bradley's chief of staff to discuss plans for taking the French city of Metz and then pushing east into the Saar River Valley, a center of Germany's armaments industry. Bradley, believing that a strong push might well end the war, argued for a simultaneous attack by all of the Allied armies in Europe.
Patton pointed out that there was not enough ammunition, food, or gasoline to support all the armies. There were enough supplies, however, for one army. Patton's Third Army could attack twenty-four hours after getting the signal. After a vigorous debate, Bradley conceded. Patton was told that the attack could take place any time after November 5, and that aerial bombardment would be available before-hand.
The Allies were really fighting three enemies, Patton told Bradley—the Germans, time, and the weather. The weather was the most serious threat. The Third Army's sick rate equaled its battle casualty rate. Patton was never one to delay an attack, convinced that each day's delay gave the enemy more time to prepare. "The best is the enemy of the good" was one of his favorite maxims. It would be better to attack as soon as Bradley could provide him with supplies…."
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