Description:

GEORGE S. PATTON
(1885 - 1945) "Old Blood and Guts" was one of the finest tank commanders in history, rolling his forces through Tunisia, Sicily, France and Germany until halted at the Rhine. Historic content T.L.S. "G. S. Patton, Jr." with holograph postscript on War Department letterhead, 1p. 4to. Washington, Sep. 10, 1942 to Gen. GEOFFREY KEYES Commanding General of the 3d Armored and 9th Armored Division, Deputy Commander of the I Armored Corps under George Patton in North Africa, and later Commanding General of II Corps and 7th Army at war's end. Just slightly less than two months before American troops would land in North Africa in Patton's first military command of the war, Patton describes his efforts to have Keyes appointed to serve as his immediate deputy, and cites the fact that he might die in the opening days of the battle. In a self-typed letter, Patton writes his old friend: "...I suppose you think I am crazy but I am not...As I see it I will command an army because I am called Task Force 'A' I have been told to organize an army Staff and am doing so. However I must say that our mutual friend (BOY WONDER) Waine [Gen. Mark] Clark may try to undercut me. However I think I can handle that. I tried to get Jake [Gen. Jacob] Devers to shift you to the command of the 3d Div without success...he will not stand in the way of your going if I can get you...My reason aside from personal friendship for taking you is that this thing is going to hang on a shoe string and I am going to have to go ashore in one of the leading waves. I have utter confidence in you and know that you...will see that the thing is pushed home and in the last extremity that you will lead the last formed body. However we must face the fact that we may be repulsed in which case I am not coming back alive. Think the thing over and let me know...". He adds in a holograph postscript: "P.S. We pull out in about a month". With transmittal envelope, hand-carried. Also present is a draft copy in his hand of Keyes' response, an A.L.S. 3pp. 4to., [n.p., n.d.], in part: "...you need never question my loyalty to you...there are four ahead of me and no vacancies in sight, not to mention one or two favorite sons of junior rank...friendship or casual promises...must not be allowed to influence you...I do not feel for one moment that I am entitled to further consideration for the important job of second in command...". Very good. Keyes would win out in the competition and indeed serve as Patton's deputy. At the end of their relationship, he would bury Patton in Luxembourg with Patton's widow at his side.

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February 18, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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