Hollywood

Why do they always have so much real life material to work that is more than enough to turn out a terrific movie, and rewrite history with their own version? The scene in Messina where the American's are already waiting, then their brass band starts playing as if to humiliate the British, never did happen. Patton did in fact, reach Messina first and accepted the formal surrender of the city from the senior Italian military officer, Col. Michele Tomasello. The British had already become informed that the Americans had reached the city first. The SBO arrived (it was not Monty) and walked up to Patton and shook his hand, saying "It was a jolly good race. I congratulate you."

Then there's the part in which Patton is informed by General Smith that they are going to build a factitious Army around him and it's appearing that he has nothing to do with the preparations of the Normandy invasions and later, is surprised when he is once again given command and 3rd Army became operational and that Ike had formed those plans, months ago. What a crock! Patton was very much involved in planning for Operation Overlord and went right along with with all the deception, knowing how important it was to keep the Germans believing that he was to lead the main invasion at Calais. All the time in England while this deception was taking place, Patton was already training the 3rd Army.