American soldiers inspect the wreckage of a German Panther tank; Normandy, France, August 1944. 

Taking a close look

On April 4, 1941 he was promoted to major general and made Commanding General (CG) of the 2nd Armored Division. Patton strongly emphasized the need for armored forces to stay in constant contact with opposing forces.  “Tanks are new and special weapon - newer than as special, and certainly as valuable as the airplane” - said he... 

Major General George S. Patton, Jr.

Soldiers of the 7th Infantry Division pose with a captured Japanese 150 mm Type 89 cannon on Okinawa, Japan; Late June, 1945. 