The Truth Behind Task Force Baum: Did General Patton Risk 300 Men to Save One?

A persistent and dramatic story from World War II claims that General George S. Patton ordered hundreds of American soldiers into danger solely to rescue a single captive—his son-in-law. Although this tale is often exaggerated or oversimplified, it is rooted in a real and controversial operation: Task Force Baum. The mission, carried out in March 1945, has remained one of the most debated decisions of Patton’s military career.

The Origins of Task Force Baum

By the final months of the war, Patton’s Third Army was advancing rapidly across Germany, liberating towns and capturing German positions at stunning speed. As American forces pushed deeper into enemy territory, Patton received reports about Allied prisoners of war held at Oflag XIII-B, a camp near Hammelburg. Among the officers imprisoned there was Lt. Col. John Waters—Patton’s own son-in-law.

Patton later claimed that he did not know Waters was in the camp when he authorized the rescue attempt. Historians still debate this point, but whether out of personal motive, military urgency, or a mix of both, Patton approved a daring raid behind enemy lines. The objective: break into the POW camp, rescue American officers, and bring them safely back to Allied territory.

A Small Force with a Dangerous Assignment

The rescue operation was placed under the command of Captain Abraham J. Baum, a seasoned officer known for his courage and determination. The strike force, later known as Task Force Baum, consisted of a little more than 300 soldiers drawn from the 4th Armored Division. Although small in number, the unit was heavily mechanized and equipped to move quickly over hostile terrain.

Their armored column included:

10 M4A3 Sherman medium tanks

6 M5A1 Stuart light tanks

3 self-propelled 105mm artillery pieces

27 half-tracks

8 jeeps

It was a formidable concentration of firepower for a force of its size, designed to punch through German defenses with speed and surprise. On March 26, 1945, Task Force Baum set out on its high-risk mission deep inside enemy territory.

A Moment of Success—and an Immediate Downfall

Against tremendous odds, Baum’s men managed to push through German lines and reach their target: the POW camp at Hammelburg. For a brief moment, the mission appeared to be a success. American prisoners were astonished when tanks bearing white stars burst into the compound. The arrival of the rescue team ignited hope and confusion among the long-captured officers.

But victory was short-lived. The task force immediately encountered problems once the prisoners were freed. Many of the POWs were in poor health and unable to move quickly, slowing the entire column. Worse still, German forces quickly regrouped, surrounded the rescue party, and cut off its route back to Allied territory.

Within hours, Task Force Baum found itself isolated and vastly outnumbered.

Destruction of the Task Force

The German counterattack was devastating. Patton’s handpicked rescue unit, initially so strong and confident, was overrun. Vehicles were destroyed, tanks were put out of action, and the armored column quickly disintegrated under the intensity of German fire.

By the end of the fighting:

26 American soldiers had been killed

The majority of the task force was captured

Only a small number managed to reach friendly lines

Ironically, many of the men who survived the destruction of the task force—including Captain Baum—ended up joining the very POWs they were sent to rescue. They were imprisoned and remained there until the camp was liberated weeks later by advancing Allied forces.

The Legacy and Controversy of the Mission

Task Force Baum has become one of the most controversial episodes associated with Patton. Critics argue that it was an unnecessary and reckless operation that put hundreds of lives at risk for minimal strategic gain—perhaps driven by Patton’s desire to rescue his son-in-law. Supporters counter that rescue missions behind enemy lines were not unusual and that Patton had legitimate military reasons to authorize the strike.

Regardless of motive, the results were undeniably tragic. A highly trained armored force was effectively destroyed, with most of its members killed, wounded, or captured. The mission did not shorten the war, and it did not significantly improve the condition of the prisoners—though many did express gratitude for the attempt.

A Bold Gamble with a Heavy Cost

Task Force Baum remains a symbol of both the daring and the danger that characterized Patton’s command style. Whether viewed as an act of courage or an avoidable disaster, the operation demonstrates the incredible risks faced in the final months of World War II—and the thin line between heroism and tragedy on the battlefield.

It stands as a reminder that even legendary generals could make decisions whose consequences would echo long after the guns fell silent.