Description:


RUFUS S. BRATTON (1892�1958) Chief of the Far Eastern Section of the Intelligence Branch of the Military Intelligence Division (G-2) in the War Department in December 1941, when the United States entered World War II. Bratton was one of the first officers to receive the intercepted final section of the Fourteen Part Message breaking off diplomatic relations early on the morning of December 7. Poor atmospheric conditions made it impossible for Bratton to relay his warning to Pearl Harbor as a (non-urgent) telegram. However, when the warning message was finally delivered in Hawaii, the attack was already underway. Pacific fleet Adm. Husband Kimmel didn't receive it until after the attack was over. Bratton was later assigned to George S. Patton's Third Army as Headquarters Commandant, a role he undertook all throughout the subsequent liberation of Europe. The wartime scrapbook of Col. Rufus Bratton, apparently assembled by Bratton himself. It starts in 1943 with Bratton's transfer to Ft. Sam Houston. Very shortly thereafter, he was sent to Europe to serve under Patton as Commandant of Patton's HQ and virtually all of the photos are from that period. The album includes 120+ original photos, most 4 x 6 in. or larger, with topics including Bratton and his staff, Patton's headquarters, the V-2 factory at Nordhausen, the bridge at Remagen, ruins in Cologne, the convoy to Berlin, and many images from Berlin itself, including Hitler's ruined offices, scenes of devastation from throughout the city, German prisoners, Soviet tanks on VJ Day, etc. A good deal of paper items are also present, including a label from the V-2 factory, covers of various "Secret" G2, a program for the July 21, 1945 "British Victory Parade" in Berlin, postcard photo of Hitler, correspondence, etc., some loose. Regrettably, no photos of Patton are present.

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July 14, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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