I recently read some WWII history where war leaders were planning a very risky operation. It was decided to give this potential suicide mission to Patton (Patton being unpopular with his seniors). The thought being that the Army would mutiny.

Patton understood the situation and said he and his men would do it as they would follow him.

It is only now I realised senior officers feared the power of Generals due to the loyalty of their men.

I think Patton's accident and death was not regretted and very possibly arranged.