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George S. Patton. Extraordinary World War II-dated typed letter signed ("G S Patton Jr.")....
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Description
George S. Patton. Extraordinary World War II-dated typed letter signed ("G S Patton Jr."). 1 page (8 x 10.3 inches), "Headquarters Seventh Army" [Messina, Sicily], September 30, 1943, to friend and Surgeon General of the Army, Brigadier General Albert Kenner, with whom Patton served in North Africa (and who would become Patton's attending physician following the fatal jeep accident of December 1945). Docketing on verso has been archivally concealed, leaving it only slightly visible on the recto.Just one month after the infamous "slapping incidents," a candid General Patton reflects on his achievements in Italy, and comments on military rumors as to "who will eventually command the big parade" - the allied Invasion of Normandy.
Patton writes in full:
My dear Kenner: Thanks for your letter of the 21st which just reached me. There is here, and probably in Washington, a great deal of conversation and conjecture as to who will eventually command the big parade. I sometimes think that it is disadvantageous to do too well, and my present lack of occupation may be traceable to this cause. On the other hand, I have been extremely lucky. This is the fourth time when I seem to have worked myself out of a job and in every case, without any activity on my part, I got a better one. You know perfectly well that any time I am in a position to use you, all you have to do is to let me know. I did collect some bets on Messina, but my betting average for Palermo was so good that I had few takers. There is nothing in the way of news that I can send you from here that you have not already received quicker and more accurately in the States, so I will not clutter up the letter with stuff that you read in the papers three weeks ago. I am very sorry to hear that General Craig is not too well. Please give him my best and also Raymonde my best. With warm personal regards and hoping to hear from you again soon, I am, Most sincerely, G S Patton, Jr. Lieut. General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
The Allied invasion of Sicily, code-named "Husky," was launched on the night of July 10, 1943, amid inclement weather. The operation involved nearly 500,000 men deployed in eight divisions, led by Generals Patton (the 7th Army) and Montgomery (the 8th Army). Owing to the rivalry between the two men, the operation quickly dissolved into a race between the 7th and 8th Armies to reach the port of Messina and cut off the Axis evacuation. Due to last minute alterations of the original plan by Montgomery, Patton found his Army temporarily stranded and without a clear path of advance. Yet Patton, always the aggressor, received approval for a rapid drive north and west, successfully taking the city of Palermo before turning east toward Messina. The intrepid general arrived at Messina first (on August 17, 1943), his men playfully deriding the British troops landing later that day as "tourists." Hence, Patton brags in the present letter, "I did collect some bets on Messina, but my betting average for Palermo was so good that I had few takers." Patton had won, and the flamboyant American became the hero of both the press and the occupied Sicilians, though his relationship with Montgomery was shattered. In writing "I sometimes think that it is disadvantageous to do too well... This is the fourth time when I seem to have worked myself out of a job," Patton here artfully defends himself for the not-yet-publicized visits he had made in early August to an army hospital, in order to award Purple Hearts and console the wounded. On two occasions, he lost his temper and impatiently slapped battle-fatigued soldiers - the now famous "slapping incidents." The story was, at first, kept from the public in the interest of preserving Patton's value as a combat leader; finally, in late November, the incidents were revealed in a Sunday evening national radio broadcast by columnist Drew Pearson. For his actions, Patton was sharply reprimanded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower (who had tried to bury the story) and was widely criticized in the press. Many called for his dismissal. Following the public outrage and clamor, Patton's name was kept out of the papers until January of 1944, when he was assigned to prepare for the upcoming Normandy invasion, albeit in a supporting role.
Auction Info
2022 May 7 Treasures from the Melvin "Pete" Mark, Jr. Collection Signature® Auction #6256 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2022
7th
Saturday
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