The Fate of Robert L. Thompson: The Driver Involved in the Tragic Collision with General George S. Patton’s Vehicle

On December 9, 1945, an event in history shocked both the military and the public: a collision between a truck driven by Robert L. Thompson and the vehicle of General George S. Patton, resulting in the latter's death. This article delves into the journey of Robert L. Thompson, a U.S. Army soldier, post the accident and addresses the often-considered conspiracy theories surrounding the incident.

The Incident

Robert L. Thompson, a member of the U.S. Army, was driving a military vehicle when it collided with the U.S. Army General George S. Patton's Cadillac. The collision occurred on December 9, 1945, in the countryside of G?ttingen, Germany. Despite the severity of the accident, Thompson faced no criminal charges. His driver's license suspension and temporary demotion in rank were the most significant repercussions he faced.

The Aftermath

Following the tragic event, Robert L. Thompson experienced significant scrutiny and public pressure. However, he remained in the military and continued to serve. In his later years, Thompson expressed regret for the collision, understanding that it led to the fatal injuries sustained by General Patton. Both Thompson and his partner in the vehicle were shaken up, but Thompson suffered a severe spinal injury, resulting in paralysis.

Evidence and Investigation

The accident, which took place while Patton was on his way to a hunting trip, was investigated by Military Police. Lieutenant Speaker of the Military Police, who authored the report, did not find anything out of the ordinary. Patton's head had been turned to the right at the moment of impact, causing significant injury and complications.

Motives and Theories

Various theories and conspiracy theories have been proposed over the years regarding the cause of General Patton's death. One of the most persistent theories suggests that he was assassinated. However, evidence supporting this theory is insufficient. Several factors make this theory implausible:

Easier Methods: There were simpler and easier ways to eliminate Patton, thus avoiding suspicion. For instance, the accident was an unfortunate but completely accidental incident that took place while they were traveling through a war-ravaged area.

No Unusual Activity: The Military Police report and the description of the scene do not indicate any unusual activity or imminent danger that could indicate a premeditated assassination attempt.

No Motive: While Patton was set to resign from his position, the reasons behind this decision were not politically sensitive enough to provoke such an extreme measure. Moreover, at the time, retirement did not restrict a person's ability to speak out politically.

Popularity and Relationships: General Patton was not the most popular of the four senior European US generals. Had he been the target of an assassination, it's unlikely that the specific group of people would have been able to successfully carry it out without being detected.

Conclusion

While the circumstances leading to General Patton's death are undoubtedly tragic, the simplest explanation is most likely the most accurate. The collision itself was a terrible accident, and the spinal injury sustained by Patton was life-threatening. Ongoing studies and investigations further support that the event was an unfortunate and tragic accident rather than a planned assassination.