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- George Patton (1885-1945). Legendary US General. Good Content
Typed Letter Signed, "G S Patton Jr.," one
page, quarto, on HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY official letterhead,
dated November 1, 1945—less than two months before his death.
A fine relational content letter of appreciation to Frank Peckham
and the American Legion Tank Corps Post Number 19 for a press
release they issued in his support when he was relieved of command
of the Third Army for :
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- "...Thanks very much
for your letter of 18 October with the inclosed hand-out to the
press. As a matter of fact, I have already received two clippings
which quote it practically in toto.
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- Nobody can ever feel low
when he has the visible assurance of such warm hearted friendship
as that evinced by you and Commander Young and, may I proudly
add, hundreds of other soldiers of this and the last war.
- Sincerely Yours,
- G S. Patton Jr."
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- Patton was one of the great
generals in US history. The West Point graduate (1909) served
in World War I and was wounded while commanding a tank brigade
in France. Subsequently, he served in the cavalry and the tank
corps. He rose to fame in World War II he commanded (1942–43)
a corps in North Africa and the 7th Army in Sicily. Despite a
brilliant record, a much-publicized incident (Patton slapped
a soldier suffering from battle fatigue) cost him his command
and delayed until Aug., 1944, promotion to the permanent rank
of major general. Early in 1944 he was given command of the 3rd
Army, which spearheaded the spectacular sweep of U.S. forces
from Normandy through Brittany and North France, relieved Bastogne
in Dec., 1944 (see Battle of the Bulge), crossed the Rhine (Mar.,
1945), and raced across South Germany into Czechoslovakia. The
Third Army killed, wounded, or captured more Germans in Europe
than any other Army command under U.S. military officers.
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- This letter pertains to his
last tour of duty before his untimely death in December, 1945.
As military governor of Bavaria, Patton was criticized for leniency
to Nazis and was removed from command of the 3rd Army (Oct.,
1945) to take charge of the 15th Army. At a press conference
before being relieved, he had expressed his views to reporters
that U.S. plans for post-war Germany were "foolish and stupid"
and would lead to Soviet attempts to take over Western Europe.
"I was intentionally direct because I believed that it was
time for the people to know what was going on," he recalled
before his death. However, press reports of the news conference
ignored General Patton's core concern and concentrated instead
on a statement that was taken out of context, implying that he
was pro-Nazi, rather than concerned for the expansion of Soviet
hegemony across Western Europe.
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- Letters from Patton on Fifteenth
Army letterhead, his last command, are very uncommon, as he was
fatally injured in an automobile accident in Germany weeks after
assuming command. Along with the signed letter is a copy of the
press release. Also included are some papers concerning a memorial
service for Patton, sponsored by Post 19 held at the National
Cathedral in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20, 1946. These include
a copy of the press release announcing the event, and a copy
of the remarks by members of the Post at the service which was
attended by over 1200 people including Gen. Patton's wife and
son, and General Eisenhower and Admiral Nimitz. Normal aging
and handling, folds, partial punch hole on left margin, overall
in very good condition. $4,500. (#11063)
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