Was Patton a good general or merely lucky?

Was Patton an effective commander, or did successful gambles make him look better than he was?

Both judgment and luck mattered; the key command skill is knowing when to accept a risk and when to play safely.

Probing a defensive line before committing troops was a defensible choice, even though that patience conflicts with the popular image of Patton's constant speed. The more difficult issue is his willingness to leave a flank thin while pressing an advance. If the gamble succeeds, observers call it genius; if it fails, they call it folly. The historical question is whether a good commander merely gets lucky or recognizes when a risk is worth taking. The exchange offers a useful test for judging operational boldness without relying on reputation alone.