He was also a guy who could get the most out of his subordinates.
***I worked under a guy who was one of Patton’s drivers. He said Patton had many more personal drivers than any other General. He found out why: Not only was it personal vanity, but Patton used his drivers as a form of recon. They never were allowed to take the same route to him to deliver messages, and were often sent down roads which were unsecured.
My boss said one day that several drivers had a bitching session about Patton after 2 of the drivers had been killed. They had thought being a driver was gonna be a cushy job, and the sergeant basically called them out as p*ssies, that Patton was allowed to use his drivers however he saw fit.
The great Duke of Marlborough did the same with his aides. It was no sinecure but good for a young officer’s career.