Won't make much difference no, but not entirely correct either: if general is weakest unit, it will get attacked first by flanking enemies.
But with 3/3 on Juggernaut it sure does make a difference...
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Either you're mistaken or the battle report is wrong, see screenshot. MMA killed first by flanking, MS still alive at this point.
http://www.safeunderdark.com/img/TSO/TSO-208.jpg
It just seems that way because if you win the battle, the general miraculously revives...
This type of battle report is generated only when your entire army + general dies from the damage done by a "flanking" enemy. If you look at a report from a battle where flanking enemy didn't finish it, then they won't touch the general, just troops.