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.
Interesting - so he’s already begun his push to Palermo. I’m sure stuff like Alexander’s orders trying to change the northwest drive are a matter of record. If so, Patton continued the drive against orders which may support the portrayal in the movie “Patton” of Patton’s avoidance of the appearance of outright disobedience to Alexander’s orders by instead feigning ignorance.
The backdrop for Patton's failure to receive Alexander's "garbled" message, was that Alexander's actions showed a clear disrespect for the American Army and took away Patton's planned approach to Messina, leaving that an all-British show. Patton's anger made him determined to take Palermo.
After that, Alexander changed plans again since Monty was still making little progress, assigning two roads to Messina to Patton and two to Monty. Patton was determined to take Messina first and prove to the Brits we were their equals.