A pep talk from Patton

31st May 1944: George Patton's planned role in the invasion is a closely guarded secret - but he has time to inspire his men, with inimitable style

First Sergeant Christopher McGuire (centre) and other men of the US 5th Infantry Division listen to an address by Lieutenant General George Patton while on manoeuvres in Northern Ireland, 30 March 1944

Patton would arrive in Normandy soon enough. Lieutenant General George S Patton, Commanding General of the 3rd US Army, North-West Europe, conferring with Major-General Manton S Eddy and Major-General Horace MacBride.

After an unfortunate incident during the battle for Sicily General George S. Patton had spent most of his time on the sidelines of the war. Now he was to command the U.S. Third Army in Normandy - but he was not to arrive in France until late in the battle.

Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.

His absence made the existence of the fictitious First United States Army Group, FUSAG, even more credible. The Germans could not believe that a General of Patton's calibre would not be taking a leading role in the 'Second Front'.

One of the inflatable dummy tanks that made the existence of Patton’s fictitious FUSAG credible to German intelligence.

Patton failed to appear when the Normandy landings took place - and the Germans were then even more certain that he would be leading the 'second invasion' of the Pas de Calais area, probably landing at about the end of June. Hitler would keep his 15th Army waiting on the sidelines as the battle for Normandy unfolded, ready and prepared for this massive new Allied formation to arrive.