Homer, any idea when Patton decides to scrap the plan to protect Monty’s flank and make his “reconnaissance in force” move to take Palermo?
My only source on that is a fictionalized account in Jeff Shaara’s novel, “The Rising Tide.” It is generally accurate as far as the dates go but some things are purely invented. There is a scene on July 14 or 15 where Patton explains to Bradley his plan for guarding Montgomery’s flank by capturing the entire western part of Sicily. Maybe someone with a non-fiction account of the campaign or a bio of Patton can provide the true answer to your question.
Patton did the reconnaissance and seized Agrigento on the 15th and got permission on the 17th to drive into northwest Sicily. Alexanader later tried to change the orders, but transmission...or rather reception was “garbled”. Palermo fell on the 24th, about the time Alexander’s orders were “clarified”.
I think the news cycle was a couple of days or more back then.