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Don't forget, you men don't know that I'm here. No mention of that fact is to be made in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell happened to me. I'm not supposed to be commanding this Army. I'm not even supposed to be here in England. Let the first bastards to find out be the Goddamned Germans. Some day I want to see them raise up on their piss-soaked hind legs and howl, 'Jesus Christ, it's the Goddamned Third Army again and that son-of-a-fucking-bitch Patton'.

George S. Patton#22

LeadershipStrategyTacticsPsychologySecrecySurprise

About this quote

What does it mean?
Patton demands secrecy about his presence to maximize surprise and psychological impact on the enemy.
In plain terms
Keep my location secret so the enemy is surprised by my return.
What can you take from it?
Maintain secrecy for strategic advantage.

Where it applies

  • planning operations
  • confidential projects
  • competitive strategy

Putting it to work

  • secure communications
  • plan surprise launches
  • control information flow

Questions to consider

  • What information should stay hidden?
  • How can surprise benefit my goal?

Another view

Secrecy is difficult to maintain with modern communication.

More from George S. Patton

  1. Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like r…

    Permalink to quote #21
  2. Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get the bastards who started it. The quicker they are whipp…

    Permalink to quote #23
  3. All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters, either. Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that yo…

    Permalink to quote #20

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