[alfa6]

I believe the Germans took Metz in the 1870 war. And took it rather handily IIRC.

Patton was a shameless self-promoter with a knack for knowing where and how to attack the Germans. If Patton had understood logistics better there is no doubt that he would have been the best general that the US Army would have had.

Metz was not Patton’s finest hour in WW-II. Think General Grant and Cold Harbor in the American Civil War. Patton would have done better to bypass Metz and let it starve.

More later YMMV

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[colorado tanker]

For centuries Metz was a free city in the Holy Roman Empire, most of that time as a republic. It was peacefully absorbed into France in the 16th Century and was later fortified. I don’t believe it was successfully besieged until the Franco-Prussian War.

[PAR35]

Patton would have done better to bypass Metz and let it starve.

Patton couldn't bypass Metz. Ike had given the gasoline to Monte for Market Garden. Patton could have either held his position, or put his troops to use attacking the fortress cities, which he did.

Patton wasn't at his best at set-piece battles, as Monte wasn't at his best at dynamic battles. Ike should have give the fuel to Patton to drive to the Rhine, and told Monte to clear the Scheldt. But Ike let politics outweigh military judgment.