General George Patton, a brilliant military strategist who revolutionized the aggressive use of the tank as an attack weapon and the most successful combat commander in US history, had millions of admirers in the summer of 1943. He also had enemies, including a muck-raking newspaper columnist who leaked information about a slapping incident. Soon after, in a stunning announcement by General Dwight Eisenhower, Commanding General, US Expeditionary Forces, Patton was ordered to apologize to the entire Seventh Army Group, with as many of the men as possible assembled in the main square in Messina, Sicily. Immediately afterward, he was ‘reassigned’ to England without a command; all taking place, incredibly, on the eve of the invasion of Italy. German intelligence believed this was a ruse, certain he was preparing to lead the invasion of Europe. They were partially right. It was a ruse. But the American people, Allies, Army Chief-of-Staff, George Marshall, even President Franklin Roosevelt himself, never knew what really happened .