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Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Two divas: Patton vs. Montgomery

While Tom Ricks is away from his blog, he has selected a few of his favorite posts to re-run. We will be posting a few every day until he returns. This originally ran on June 16, 2010. Patton’s diary, July 5, 1944: "Why an American Army has to go with Montgomery, I do not see, ...

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U.S. Army
U.S. Army
U.S. Army

While Tom Ricks is away from his blog, he has selected a few of his favorite posts to re-run. We will be posting a few every day until he returns. This originally ran on June 16, 2010.

While Tom Ricks is away from his blog, he has selected a few of his favorite posts to re-run. We will be posting a few every day until he returns. This originally ran on June 16, 2010.

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 covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1
Tags: History, Military

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