Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Two divas: Patton vs. Montgomery

Patton’s diary, July 5, 1944: "Why an American Army has to go with Montgomery, I do not see, except to save the face of the little monkey." December 27, 1944: "I wish Ike were more of a gambler, but he is certainly a lion compared to Montgomery … Monty is a tired little fart. War ...

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
U.S. Army
U.S. Army
U.S. Army

Patton's diary, July 5, 1944: "Why an American Army has to go with Montgomery, I do not see, except to save the face of the little monkey."

Patton’s diary, July 5, 1944: "Why an American Army has to go with Montgomery, I do not see, except to save the face of the little monkey."

December 27, 1944: "I wish Ike were more of a gambler, but he is certainly a lion compared to Montgomery … Monty is a tired little fart. War requires the taking of risks and he won’t take them."

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

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