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He believed too loudly in his own military preachments, was passed over several times for promotion. But in 1941, as commander of the 2nd Armored Division, he shone in southern maneuvers. The following spring he snorted off to California to organize the Desert Training Center. In the 120° heat he whipped a desert fighting force into shape. Most of the men he trained followed him overseas. He was assigned to seize Casablanca, which he did after four rip-roaring days and many blunders (not necessarily his own). At the end he strode into the headquarters of Admiral Michelier with a pair of pearl-handled .45-caliber pistols strapped to his legs and a tommy gun under one arm. So impressed was the Sultan of Morocco that he presented Patton with the special order of Ouissam Alaouite, with the citation: "Les Lions dans leurs tanières tremblent en le voyant approcher" (The lions in their dens tremble at his approach). According to unofficial reports, he also impressed Franco's commanders in Spanish Morocco, doing a valuable service by placating them and removing any immediate danger of attack on the Allies' rear.
"Soldiers," says Patton, "fight primarily for two reasons: hero worship for a commanding officer and the desire for glory." He used to inspire his men with four-letter oratory and assurances that he, Georgie Patton, would know what to do when he got those German so-&-sos in his gunsights.
General Patton now has the Germans at gun point. Over him, as over many a man who boasted and failed, now hangs the awful star of battle. When the battle is done, he will not need to boast. The record will be there, for the living among his men to read.