European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 6, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Patton escorts supreme Allied commander Gen. Dwight d. Eisenhower during a visit. Army sailed his 45-foot boat to an assignment in Hawaii and almost always lived better than his commanders. Despite his use of profanity he was deeply religious extremely Well read and a devoted family Man. In the breakout Patton a columns were driving into Brittany when the decision was made to change direction and thrust for Paris. Third army turned leaving minimum forces in Brittany and headed for the Seine with the same blazing Speed. Patton a divisions were at the Gates of Paris in late August when orders came for him to skirt the City and leave the Honor of liberating the French capital to other units. In december Patton was ordered to turn away from Germany and Lead a Force from Nancy toward the embattled defenders in Bastogne Belgium. Again 3rd army changed direction successfully breaking the attempt to strangle Bastogne. Third army continued its lightning attacks across Germany in the Spring of 1945. His continuing feud with British commander Field marshal Bernard l. Montgomery flared in March when Patton a troops sneaked across the Rhine at Oppenheim 10 Miles from Mainz. He told his commander Gen. Omar n. Bradley a a in a across the Rhine. I sneaked a division Over last night. But there Are so few krauts around they done to know it yet so done to make any press  when Patton crossed on a Pontoon Bridge he made a triumphant Stop at Midstream to relieve himself. Montgomery had planned a showpiece Rhine assault March 23-24 with tremendous artillery preparation and textbook River assault tactics All witnessed by British prime minister Winston Churchill Eisenhower and dozens of reporters. Montgomery got the headlines for the one mile deep Bridgehead across the River. At the same time Patton a Xii corps raced for Kassel 120 Miles Northeast of Oppenheim. As the War ended units of 3rd army had reached Pulzen Czechoslovakia. Patton then 60, was injured in an automobile Accident near Mannheim on dec. 9,1945, and died from complications dec. 21 at Heidelberg army Hospital. He once said he wanted to die from the last Bullet of his final War and on his deathbed complained Quot this is a hell of a Way for a Soldier to  he is buried in the american military cemetery near Hamm Luxembourg. . Troops March in liberation Parade. Army after a Day june 7-12 a the British Advance on the left flank is stalled at Caen. Advances continue on the British right flank to the West of Bayeux. Car Tan Falls on the 12th while the americans Advance through the Forest of Cerise and threaten st.-l6. June 12-Juiy 25 a the British 2nd army threatening to break out hold Down German forces while the americans begin preparations for a breakout. Fierce tank Battles rage North of Caen Tilly and Villers Bocage. Americans Seal off the Cote tin Peninsula on june 18 at bar Neville isolating four German divisions and the port of Cherbourg Cherbourg is taken june 27 and a month later the port is receiving Allied War supplies. July 25-aug. 7 a. . Troops begin the Normandy breakout forcing the germans behind  the canadians Battle toward Falaise while it. Gen. Georges Patton  tankers begin an Armor assault that leaves the germans reeling. Patton a 3rd army blitzes the germans while the canadians and British also begin to Advance strongly trapping several divisions of germans. Aug. 7-20 a the germans try to fight out of the trap sending Armor into the corridor around a ranches on aug. 7 in an attempt to Cut off Patton a army. The Gap around Falaise is closed aug. 17 by the canadians. The 2nd Canadian corps and v corps join at Chamois on the 19th. The British and canadians March on Vernon and Rouen thus opening the Gates to Paris. The the nazi War machine begins a steady Retreat which ends More than nine months later with the German surrender. Aug. 26 a Allied troops led by French armoured columns enter Paris setting off a massive Celebration. The liberation of the French capital effectively ends the Battle of Normandy which had raged for nearly 2 /2 months. June 6, 1994 a stars and stripes commemorative edition 59