I like how both movies show mutual respect between German and allied Generals.

Patton is a man of huge ego, he likes the respect that he is getting, and he believes he 100% deserves it. Beside respect, he believes he can also do whatever he wants, and have his own way not because he is a general, but because he is Patton.

But as observed by the German official who warned high ranking someone, he is a man of history tales. He will plan his attack on Sicilly to take Palermo, not because it will most strategic sense, but because this is what the generals of the past did (he says Palermo is “The most conquered city in the world”). He probably sees himself as next in the lineage of remarkable war generals, whose stories are being told thousands of years later.

Patton’s arrival to the frontline shows how capable he is. He needed few minutes and talking to less than 5 people, to realise what is wrong. His soldiers are not acting as soldiers. They do not act like they are in the war. If they are fighting against soldiers, who are doing the things soldiers would do in a war, then they have no chance. For him it is weird, how no one else seen that in the troops.

I can draw parallels with a lot of stories we hear from business or sports. Sir Alex Ferguson, football manager known for his great man managerial skills but also strict discipline found his squad was made of drunks and playboys, famously saying that this is more social club than a football club. Seems like great managers have an eye what makes a great squad/team/battalion.

Obviously, not everything Patton did was great or correct, but he is willing to take the risk that some of his decision will not be correct, but majority will, and this will keep driving the ship into right direction. This feeling I think, comes from a deep understanding or feeling might be a better word, what is needed to win whatever you are involved in. Almost having a sense, that is built on both expertise as well as hard work and passion.

Observe anyone who is expert in their field or a serial winner, and you will find this qualities.

There is a moment in the movie where another general says to him “I do this job because I’ve been trained to do it. You do it because you love it”.

Compared to Montgomery, he doesn’t play politics game. That’s not war for him. He says the way he sees things. He understood that Western countries and Soviet Union are too different to truly cooperate and he wasn’t afraid to voice that