Erwin Rommel, as quoted in The Rommel Papers (1953) edited by Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart, Ch. 23: The Sky Has Grown Dark, p. 523
“
In Tunisia the Americans had to pay a stiff price for their experience, but it brought rich dividends. Even at that time, the American generals showed themselves to be very advanced in the tactical handling of their forces, although we had to wait until the Patton Army in France to see the most astonishing achievements in mobile warfare.
— Erwin Rommel
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "In Tunisia the Americans had to pay a stiff price for their experience, but it brought rich dividends. Even at that time, the American generals showed themselves to be very advanced in the tactical handling of their forces, although we had to wait until the Patton Army in France to see the most astonishing achievements in mobile warfare." in the context of "Erwin Rommel, as quoted in The Rommel Papers (1953) edited by Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart, Ch. 23: The Sky Has Grown Dark, p. 523" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "George S. Patton" (Quotes about Patton: Alphabetized by author )
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About George S. Patton
General George Smith Patton, Jr. (11 November 1885 – 21 December 1945) was a senior officer of the United States Army, who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He was known in his time as "America's Fightingest General".
About George S. Patton
General George Smith Patton, Jr. (11 November 1885 – 21 December 1945) was a senior officer of the United States Army, who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He was known in his time as "America's Fightingest General".
View all quotes →