Robert Hays

@natehale @ustonymc For complete details on all this, please see my biographical memoir on Oscar Koch, "Patton's Oracle," from Thomas-Jacob Publishing. I became a close friend of Koch's in his retirement and collaborated with him on his book, "G-2: Intelligence for Patton." --Robert Hays

Patton was prepared largely due to the efforts of his G-2, Colonel Oscar Koch. Colonel Koch was (arguably) the most capable Army-level intelligence officer to serve with US forces in WWII Koch was an innovator; he recruited the best analysts and encouraged them to fuse available information and think outside the box when assessing enemy capabilities and intentions. In the late fall of 1944, the consensus among senior Allied intelligence officers was that the Germans were beaten and their resistance would fade as they ran out of men and supplies. Koch was unconvinced; his analysts discovered key, combat-ready German panzer units being withheld from the fight. His intel specialists also found other front-line German units being transferred from the eastern front, even as Russian formations advanced steadily towards Berlin. There was also evidence of fuel, munitions and rations being conserved in concert with other, detected developments that pointed towards a winter offensive. Koch even pinpointed the likely focus of the German attack and took his assessment to Patton, who was initially skeptical. But after Koch finished his presentation, Patton said “Oscar, you’ve convinced me.” Then, turning to his G-5, he directed his plans officer to continue preparations for the planned push into Germany while developing a plan to turn his Army 90 degrees on minimal notice, to cut off the German advance. After the Germans launched their Ardennes offensive, Ike called an emergency meeting at Verdun. Observers remembered a lot of long faces in the room until Patton unrolled his maps and laid out his plan to roll north, relieve Bastogne and cut off the Germans. Bastogne was Patton’s finest hour, thanks in large part to an exceptional G-2 named Oscar Koch

Battle of the Bulge Bastogne Eisenhower asked Patton when he could launch a counterattack: "As soon as you are through with me." Patton said, "The Kraut has stuck his head in a meat grinder and this time I've got hold of the handle."

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical novels! Author, Robert Hays, has done an amazing job bringing to life the soldiers who escorted the body of Abraham Lincoln back to his home state of Illinois, after his assassination.... amazon.com/Darkening-Ligh…

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It’s #ShamelessSelfpromoSunday #writerscommunity and I’m looking to reach 500 followers. Can I get like/retweet to help reach my goal? Share your work and I’ll retweet. Thanks! #writerslift #lifegoals

Please remember, all profit from sale of this novel for the rest of the year go to Wounded Warrior Project.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-inchworm-…

Five months of forever

All proceeds from sale of this book for the rest of the year will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. walmart.com/ip/An-Inchworm…