IN the movie "Patton" with George C. Scott, there was a scene in Tunsunia where Patton came in to where a battle had taken place finding Nomads taking the clothes and other items off the soldiers and vehicles. Is there any evidence that this happened there or anywhere else in WW2???

Grass Hopper -------- it has been and still is common for troops who dead to be releaved of valuables-weapons -ammo-equipment  and personal possesions by all sorts of people.

There are many poor nomadic people  and  traders and petty crooks who will loot anything of scenes of war and disasters or official searches for information etc.

Stores and food can be useful as well-helps in the feeding of victor and pow alike. And captured equipment or crashed aircraft.

This has gone on since before recorded history.

Disposal and registration of the dead and injured is considered an honourable and essential service by some civilisations .

Sometimes it is classified as looting -and strong civil and military action is swift.(the applied to cities that have severe destruction  ie new orleans -and others.

Patton died as the result of and auto accident  in early December 1945.

Much was made of General Patton -and he became a legend .

He was an experienced officer  and had wealth and tradition and ability .

Much has been written  and no doubt attributed to him.

Film directors and scrip writers do there best to ensure accuracy .

But battlefield reports and other historians do emphasise common problems with the native trives on their ability to loot the valuables and kit from dead soldiers-often to sell for souveniers.(troops  are prolific collectors)

This of course was common knowledge among troops of the Allied and Axis  Forces.

Specific incidents and orders and court martials  must number legion in the millions of reports.

But Patton was a film - designed for the box office sales -not always the best way to find the truth-

Verification -even with so many records is not easy as most observers are long gone.So is general Montgomery.

Is there not a library devoted to General Patton.