GEORGE S. PATTON DIARIES Annotated transcripts Aug. 5, 1942-Jan. 25, 1943 BOX 2 FOLDER 13 GEO S PATTON JR DIARIES Typed (I) Aug. 5, 1942 - Apr. 8, 1943 HEADQUARTERS U.S. CONSTABULARY APO 46. U.S. ARMY COMMANDING GENERAL TO 1. p235 I was about 500 yds from this LST going ashore in a small LCVP. It was not unloaded and carried most of the anti tank guns of the 1st Div which were lost and missed badly by them later. 2. p 237 appears to be a duplication. 3. p 252 We all knew these planes were coming in. I personally reminded all my troops + many others I passed of the expected air drop, all precautions were taken from Gen Patton on down through the chain of command. The planes came over - off their course & during & just following a German air-raid. To my knowledge no army elements fired on them. Many of the planes & paratroopers landed in & around my CP. We gave them 1st aid & all possible assistance. (Next day the CG 82d AB ranked me out of my humble CP!) I made a certificate for the investigation as indicated above. As a sidelight - it is my belief that we (2d A.D.) suffered more casualties from our own air attacks than from all other sources. 1 Co 41st Armed Inf Regt Was practically decimated by our own air. HEADQUARTER U.S. CONSTABULARY APO 46. U.S. ARMY COMMANDING GENERAL TO Support text of all messages be arranged in logical sequence since they would be easier to read & understand. They are now in same form as when enciphered. Vol. 1 VOLUME 1 (corrected by P. Harkins) AUGUST 5 - APRIL 8, 1943 MRS. GEORGE S. PATTON JR. SOUTH HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS May 5 -- Darling Fred -- Here are some notes[?] by Mag. Gen. I. D. White [?an] the Sicily diary, which will add to the interest if added as notes. If Mrs. C. will make 2 copies I will put [all??] in the working model I have here Love B Volumes I & II of Third Army History loaned [?} to 35p H & M of Boston. 15 July 58 INTER-OFFFICE MEMO From PA. To BAP. Date January 2, 1953 Subject Patton Diary The original longhand diary was dictated to a stenographer by B.A.P. This longhand diary is in Mrs. Patton's safe deposit box. The typed diary, dictated by Gen. Patton was in many cases identical with the longhand diary, but contained some changes. Where this occurred, both versions were included in a complication by Mrs. Patton. This compilation was then reviewed and where the texts were not identical, one or the other was crossed out. I do not remember how many of this consolidated edition were typed, but we have one in the office, Frederick Ayer has one at home. I think B.A.P. has a third. A third edition was typed in this office which is a consolidation of the longhand and Patton dictated diary complete after eliminating duplications and selecting one or the other where they did not quite agree. Speaking from memory of this, there were typed in this office, one original and two carbon copies, confirmed on telephone by Ann Carroll, who did the typing. Two of these are in loose leaf binders and the third is in envelopes in the office. The envelope which contained Volume 1 has a notation, "contents taken by Mrs. Patton". To summarize, we have three complete sets minus Volume 1. The set designated A was corrected by Paul Harkins and his corrections transferred to set B and the loose sheets. However, I am pretty sure that this is the same set A corrected by Gen. Gay as it contains a report of the interview with the correspondents, Daniel, Levin and Morgan with a note signed H.G. This same set contains some comments, etc., by Gen. Gay. These comments do not appear to have been transcribed to set B and the loose sheets. Set B contains in the margin a lot of pencil question marks. These marks were put in by John Richardson. I am, today, sending set B to Brigadier General H.H. Semmes, Investment Building, Washington, D.C. We have, also, in the vault the copy of the typed diary stolen by Rosevitch and sold to Hearst and recovered by Bailey Aldrich. Evidently, the Hearst people marked the sections of this which they intended to publish. Vol. I There are a few names not furnished - dul- cay can find noone who can definitely be sure. Also few initials of individuals Stiller Page 2 A S - 2 might be Al Stiller Page 62 Gen. Martin (Fr) no initials) Page 92 Gen Dareys (?) [?] P.128 Col Talbotts initials P.130 Craigs " Otherwise looks OK. P.H. DIARY This is a compilation of the longhand and typewritten diaries of General George S. Patton, Jr. from 5 August 1942 until December, 1945. August 5, 1942 Got word at 6:00 P.M. [*In desert Training cluter*] last night to fly to UK. [United Kingdom]. This morning arrived Washington Airport 7:45 A.M. My baggage weighed only 35 pounds. Got on four-motored strato-liner, left ground at 9:13 AM Eastern War Time. General J. H. Doolittle, Colonel Kent Lambert and two air corps colonels, two lieutenants colonels and one captain, all air corps. Ship's name is Zuni. 10:30 AM we are over New York, quite cool. Flight of Newfoundland beautiful. It is absolutely wild. Many lakes and swamps, no roads. Arrived Goose Bay 4:30 E.W.T. Got dinner at Club. Took off for United Kingdom at 7:20 E.W.T. All on plane going to war, but all the talk was of fishing and shooting. Very normal. All water in the lakes and streams was clear and there was no muddy water till we got almost to Goose Bay and saw some "canalization". August 6, 1942 Slept well most of night on thwart ship's bunk. Got up at dawn. We were over clouds. This was good, as we could hide in them if attacked. Over Ireland at 6:15 A.M. E.W.T. 21 hours out, 18 hours of flying. It is the greenest and most cultivated country I have seen with many houses all white or gray - looks like toy, or Walt Disney, country. 7:00 A.M. E.W.T. we are low over water with what may be Scotland just ahead. What I thought was Scotland is not, as we have passed it. Apparently it is a high island or a point of Ireland. We are going in now 7:07 EWT Had lunch at port. Left at 3:30 London War Time. Arrived London 5:30 LWT. Billeted at Claridge's Hotel. Shown several rooms already occupied. Finally got a huge empty one with Doolittle next door. Had dinner with British G-2. No bomb damage apparent except for empty blocks. August 7, 1942 Reported to Ike. Spent morning working on plan. Talked to many people. London seems just half alive with very few people even soldiers about. All the women are very homely and wear their clothes badly. August 8, 1942 Self, Jim Doolittle, A.S. (?) [*] had big talk for four hours. I said that /Northern Task Force was being favored at the expense of Western Task Force. Finally got some change. No one likes the plan but we will do it. Talked to British and Truscott (1) in PM. The food is very expensive and not numerous. It costs about $5.00 for dinner of ham and soup. The style is kept on. Saw Dick Vidmer (2), who is a Major, A.C. All women at dinner in dining room hideous. 1. Maj Gen Lucien K. Truscott, later commanding general, 3d Div. Western Task Force 2. J Richards Vidmer, sports writer and son of an old friend, Brig. Gen. George Vidmer -2- * Al Stillet (?) # August 9, 1942 Read and discussed operation all day. Took General Truscott to lunch. Went to movie at 6:30 PM, "Young Mr. Pitt" very fine and timely. Had supper with Ike and talked until 1:00 AM. We both feel that the operation is bad and is mostly political. However, we are told to do it and intend to succeed or die in the attempt. If the worst we can see occurs, it is an impossible show, but, with a little luck, it can be done at a high price; and it might be a cinch. August 10, 1942 Bought some shoes. Lunched with Ike, Clark 1 and General Mason 2 (?) [*Kenneth Anderson*] who will command NTF. He seems earnest but dumb. August 11, 1942 General J.C.H. Lee, Ike and I had a meeting. I got Generals Arthur Wilson and T.B. Larkin for the S.O.S - Service of Supply Had lunch at the In and Out Club with General Dyer, British Liaison. His son was killed May 1st. Talked to very secret man who should write movies. Raised Hell with staff. I am having Admiral Mountbatten and some others, including Truscott, Gruenther 3 and Lambert to a swank dinner here, US to pay. 1. Maj. Gen. Mark W. Clark [2. This could be] 3. Brig. Gen AM Gruenther 2. Gen Anderson commanded Bn 1st Army in landing Gen Fredendall + Ryder commanded at Oran and Algiers respectively [Lt Gen Mason McFarland ? (Gov of Gibraltar) I could find no other Mason(?) connected with operation at that time] Dr. Geo. Howe -3- August 11, 1942 cont'd Big US Navy parley this morning. I was there. They are certainly not on their toes. It is very noticeable that most of the American officers here are pro-British, even Ike. Gen Barker (1), the G-3, is terrible. I am not, repeat not, Pro-British. August 12, 1942 This morning Ike and I had a conference with Navy. They say that the means do not exist for a second attack so we are only going to try NTF. I think this is fortunate for me, so far as a longer life goes, but it is bad for the country - very dangerous in fact. Ike is not as rugged mentally as I thought; he vacillates and is not a realist. Went to a private flat for dinner, very nice. the women are more warmhearted than the men. August 14, 1942 At 9:00 AM Ike asked me what I thought of plan he had made. I said it was too complicated. He said Navy thought so too. Navy and I agreed, each for a different reason. New plan worked on all day. It is not too promising, but best we can manage. Went with Ike to a private showing of "Ten Gentlemen From West Point". Lee brought me home. Clark is Deputy Commander-in-Chief. I doubt the wisdom of it; he may be to intrusive. 1. Brig. Gen RW Barker -4- August 15, 1942 At 9:15 Doolittle, Clark and I met with Ike to discuss a new telegram from Washington in which the whole question of the possibilities of the Torch 1 Operation were to be discussed. It may have been a momentous meeting. All but I felt it was out. I said it was 52 to 48 against us but I favored going on. Ike worked on a reply until 3:00 PM when we sent a cable --- all concurring --- that it was better than even money we could land, but a poor bet that we could get Tunis ahead of the Boches. General Anderson, commanding [Best] British Sphere 2, was called in and agreed. I feel that we should fight but for success we must have luck. I also showed that the railroad from Casablanca east is only good now to sustain 5000 men at Oran. I hope we get a positive answer. We must do something now. I feel that I am the only true gambler in the whole outfit. I am going to bed now, 10:00 PM. August 16, 1942 Waited all day to get initial plan worked through typist. Saw Terry Allen 3 at lunch. Went to movie "Mrs. Miniver", very fine but too realistic for the British. August 17, 1942 Things seem to be jelling and I have gotten a log of valuable information. Supposed to go back tomorrow. Had a drink with Clark at his flat. I do not trust him yet but he improves on acquaintance. Ike is getting megalomania. 1. Torch - Code name for operation against North Africa 2. Name of one phase of "Torch". (British Sphere = Landings at ORAN & Algiers) 3. Maj Gen T. de La M Allen, CG 1st US INF. DIV. -5- September 24, 1942 - War Department, Washington, D.C. The plan has finally settled and I feel very calm and contented. It still can be a very desperate venture if the enemy does everything he should, and we make a few mistakes. I have a sure feeling we will win. September 25, 1942 General Clark came in this morning. "Inside" (1) has taken a lot of my planes and all paratroopers. Vice Admiral Wilson (2) British Navy and some other Navy were here for a conference. They show some leaning to direct attack on Casablanca. General Keyes (3) reported. September 28, 1942 As far as I am concerned, General Clark has explained nothing. He seems to me more preoccupied with bettering his own future than in winning the war. He seems to me slightly ill at ease. Yesterday some alternate plans of very dubious value were decided on. Our Navy is certainly very pessimistic as to the possibility of effecting a landing at Casablanca. I feel that in spite of all we will succeed there. General Keyes reported Saturday and his firm character and level head have been very comforting to me. 1. The Operations of Torch inside Mediterranian, Inside Gibraltar 2. Adm. Barry Wilson (Adm Hewitts staff) 3. Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Keyes -6- September 30, 1942 Went to Norfolk to see Admiral Hewitt (1) and to clear up a tempest in a teapot about S.O.S. and Navy in the landing. Everything calmed down. Had talk with Admiral Ingersoll (2) and found that we will get three assault boats. Sent Keyes, Cannon (3) and Black (4) to arrange sequence of air support and details of loading P-40's. I fear that at the last minute there will be quite a mess at the docks. Bea left for Boston to make speech. (5) October 1, 1942 Wrote draft for field order for attack. General Wedemeyer (6) thought it good, so I got him to make some suggestions. He seems very partial to me and is clever. General D. I Sultan came and we lied to him about his bogus plan. I hated to do it. (7) Saw Col F. L. Parks about promotions in staff and suggested that no more be announced until battle has started. 1. Rear Admiral Kent Hewitt commanding naval force 2. Adm. Royal E. Ingersoll 3. Col John A. Cannon, commanding the air W.T.F. 4. Col. Percy Black, G-2, W.T. F. 5. Try-out for subsequent year and a half of speaking for the Women's Section, Public Relations Div. War Dept. 6. Brig. Gen A C Wedemeyer Plans Dept - USA 7. This was a cover plan to invade the Dodecanese Islands - B.A.P. -7- October 2, 1942 Talked with Wedemeyer. He suggested that I should be a Lieutenant General. I told him I did not think it well to suggest it at this time. General Fredendall (1) came and I gave him my plan for attack at Oran. I am glad he has a job as I feel he has been badly used. (Later he told me that the plan was wholly his - it was not but he had forgotten. This was after the landing. Memories are short). October 6, 1942 Spend night on USS Augusta, cruiser. At about 10:30 PM we had an alert which turned out to be a drill, but no one knew it at the time. As I had no duty to do, I stayed in bed and read. Got up at 4:00 and left ship at 5:00 to see landing at Solomon's Island, Maryland. Bea, General Henry (2) and Captai Jensen (3) were on the beach. The timing of the landing by the Navy was very bad, over 40 minutes late to start with, but all we can hope is that they do better next time. General Marshall (4) sent for me to ask about Harmon. (5). I said Harmon was all right. The future will show, but I think he is. (He sure was O.K.) Got off letter and copy of orders, 2 letters of instruction, to Ike. October 7th, 1942 General Arnold (6) came to see me and asked how he could help. He seemed pleased with the plans as I showed them to him. General Hull (7) had a war with the Navy over their attempt to 1. Maj Gen L.R. Fredendall 2. Maj. Gen Guy V. Henry 3. Capt. R.N. Jenson, A.D.C. 4. Maj. Gen. G.C. Marshall, Chief of Staff U.S. Army 5. Maj Gen E.N. Harmon 6. Maj. Gen. H. H. Arnold, Chief of Air Force 7. Brig Gen J. E. Hull, Plans Dept U.S.A. -8- October 7, 1942, (cont'd p.2) issue orders to me. Had long talk with Truman Smith 1 and Col PG Black and later with Culbert. 2 All think that if Spain becomes Axis, France will go to us. Culbert feels that French Navy will attack D-1 or else beat it. Played squash with Godfrey. 3 October 9, 1942 Word from Ike that we will not get paratroops due to lack of training of transport planes. Anderson 4 in and worried for fear Captain Emmett, 5 Navy, will not get assault waves in on schedule. I am worried too. Going to see Hewitt about it tomorrow. No decision yet on light draft craft for Lyautey. Culbert and wife came to dinner - not much impressed. Relieved Captain Galloway as aide. Told him he had ability but that he had never put out over 80 per cent. October 13, 1942 Admiral Hewitt proposed change of day of attack. Talked it over with Admiral Cook, 6 but could get nothing definite out of him. Keyes and I talked to Field Marshall Sir John Dill 7 for about an hour. Rewrote paragraph in speech to which Mr. Stimson 8 objected. OCTOBER 15, 1942 Wet to Norfolk with Gross 9 and Hull 10 to inspect loadings. Flew 1. Col Truman Smith (G-2 Dept W.D.G.S.) 2. U.S. Consul at Casablanca ( 3. Brig.Gen.S.C.Godfrey,Engineer, classmate & friend 4. MAJ GEN J.W.Anderson, commanding W.T.F. 5. COMMODORE EMMETT C.O. TRANS DIV US NAVY 6. Rear Am C.M. Cooke - NAVY PLANS 7. Head of British mission in Wash. and later head of combined Chiefs of Staff 8. Hon. H. L. Stimson, Secretary of War 9. MAJ Gen C.P. GROSS - S.O.S. 10. BRIG GEN J.E.HULL OPNS - DIV -9- 2 = Colbert October 15, 1942 (cont'd p.2) down and drove back due to weather. While things were not perfect, they were satisfactory. Another time the total of each type of ammunition should be sent to port piled by type and caliber and the transport quartermasters should then draw for their ships. This would be simple and would avoid useless markings. Code names for ships is a waste of time. I was more than ever impressed with Gross and Hull. I am just a little worried about ability of Truscott. It may be nerves. (It was nerves. He made good. ) October 17, 1942 Had arranged with Admiral Cooke and Admiral Hewitt to use one of two mine planters to carry aviation gas and munitions to Port Lyautey. These were the only ships of sufficiently shallow draft I could get. Later in the evening of October 16th I got 500 tons of munitions and 400 tons of 100 octane gas with which to load vessel. This morning I received a dispatch from Admiral Ingersoll that he would not permit use of these ships for any purpose other than mine laying. I went to see Admiral Wilson and Admiral Cooke. Cook was for me, Wilson would do nothing. I got Gross to get me a merchant ship. Admiral John Hall (a good fighting man) has been appointed Chief of Staff to Hewitt. This is fine. I had dinner with Hall, LeBreton 1. and wives. Ike not only refused any paratroops but said I could not have the five light draft 150-ft. lighters I asked for. In general it has been a bad day. 1. Rear Admiral David LeBreton -10- October 18, 1942 No bad breaks today. Pilot from Port Lyautey arrived and paints a less gloomy picture than most. Had a letter from George 1 full of sentiment and emotion. Yesterday had staff meeting on Civil Government. If I do all the things set out, there will be no war. Heard Clark is going in a submarine. Hope for the best. Went to party for Keyes. Bea and I called to pay respects to Secretary of War. Met General Marshall, Field Marshall Dill and a British Lieutenant General dining there. Interesting but felt out of place. 2 October 19, 1942 Called heads of all components of force into office at 11:45 AM and warned them not to disclose in any way hour of departure. General Henry came in and read over orders, etc. 1. Cadet George S. Patton 2. The Secretary and Mrs. Stimson came out into the hall to say goodbye and there was considerable nose-blowing and eyes were a bit teary. General P. said, "May I ask you a favor, Mr. Secretary?" and the Secretary said, "Certainly George, anything I can do....". The favor, "May I take Drew Pearson on the invasion?" The tension relaxed and we left them chuckling, but they must have wished many times that D.P. had gone, never to return. B.A.P. -11- October 21, 1942 Saw General Marshall for 45 minutes at 8:15 AM. He was very friendly and helpful. He gave me the inside on the Clark-Fredendall switch. Apparently Clark made a big impression on the Prime Minister (two of a kind). He told me to influence Hewitt but not to scare him. I mentioned Admiral Hall as a fine influence for us and the General immediately asked, "How old is he?" I said, "As he was in the class of 1913 he was probably 53 or 54." His comment was, "My, how old we all are." Marshall lacks imagination but has an unusual mind. Called on General Pershing. He did not recognize me until I spoke. Then his mind seemed quite clear. He looks very old. It is probably the last time I shall see him but he may outlive me. I said that when he took me to Mexico in 1916 he gave me my start. He replied, "I can always pick a fighting man and God knows there are few of them. I am happy they are sending you to the front at once. I like Generals so bold that they are dangerous. I hope they give you a free hand." He recalled my killing the Mexicans and when I told him I was taking the same pistol he said, "I hope you kill some Germans with it". He also said that he hoped I got a chance to kill someone with my sword whip. He said that at the start of the war he was hurt because no one consulted him, but was now resigned to sit on the sidelines with his feet hanging over. He almost cried. It is pathetic how little he knows of the war. When I left I kissed his hand and asked for his blessing. He squeezed my hand and said, "Goodbye George, God bless and keep you and give you victory." -12- October 21, 1942 (cont'd p.2) I put on my hat and saluted when I left, and he returned it like he used to, and 25 years seemed to drop from him. He said that when he started World War I he was just my age. A truly great soldier. Admiral Hewitt and I reported to the President at 2:00. He greeted us with "Come in Skipper and Old Cavalryman and give me the good news". Hewitt brought up a request from the Prime Minister for an exchange of four of our destroyers for four British. This would be fatal at this late date as each vessel has a very definite gunfire support mission and the British could not take it over. The President said, "Hewitt, fix up a counter proposal. I never say no, but we can stall until it is too late." He then gave Hewitt a lot of advice about bow to moor a ship to keep it head to wind by a stern anchor. He had done this once with a yacht. I had fixed up the meeting with the hope that he would put some heat on Hewitt about the necessity of landing. As nothing came of it, I said, "The Admiral and I feel that we must get ashore regardless of cost, as the fate of the war hinges on our success." He said, "Certainly you must," and that was that. A great politician is not of necessity a great military leader. Handy 1 and Hull came to say goodbye and we had a long talk. They are fine men and should have commands. Wrote paper for Bea on care of horses. October 22, 1942 Called on Secretary of War, Mr. McCloy 2, Gen.Somervell 3 and Admiral Cook, all very nice. 1. Maj. Gen. T.T. Handy 2. Hon. J.J. McCloy, 3. Lt Gen Brehon Sommerville - [4] -13- October 22, 1942 cont'd p. 2) Let War Department at 11:15. Packed tin suitcase. Had lunch. Ben went with me to airport. General Stratemeyer (1) asked her to ride to Norfolk and we saw many of the ships. Keyes and I inspected loading 3rd Division, all very orderly. I asked a [*Quartermaster] captain how things were going. He said, "I don't know, but my trucks are getting on all right." That is the answer; if everyone does his part these seemingly impossible tasks get done. When I think of the greatness of my job and realize that I am what I am, I am amazed, but on reflection, who is as good as I am? I know of no one. All of us are relieved that the strain is over and the staff and all the men I have seen are cheerful and full of confidence. Keyes, Cannon and I are at the hotel and the rest are on the ship. I feel that we have all done our full duty and will succeed. One transport went bad and we are using another, which will have to catch up. October 23, 1942 Today Captain Emmett talked for three hours and said nothing. I talked blood and guts for five minutes and got an ovation. Came aboard the Augusta at 2:45. I have the Captain's cabin, very nice, with a double bed. People who put double bed in boats are not seamen, or else do not roll. Saw part of Second Armored Division loading, me and officers in fine spirits. Wrote Be a, Keith and Kay (2) and Esther and Edith Scott (3). Called Bea on the phone from ship. 1. Brig Gen G. E. Stratemeyer 2. Hon. & Mrs. Keith Merrill 3. Mrs. Humphrey Scott & daughter -14- October 23, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) Now that it is up to the Navy we are all relaxed. Hall impresses me more all the while. Saw Stiller 1. George Meeks 2 is much impressed and says that he is setting an example to the sailors. This is my last night in America. "It may be for years and it may be forever." God grant that I do my full duty to my men and myself. October 24, 1942 The Augusta left here at 8:10. The sortie was remarkable for its orderly and apparently faultless efficiency. We moved in column through the mine fields and out a swept and buoyed channel to Norfolk Canyon where we joined line of columns (five columns) There were two cruisers in front out of sight, then a circle of destroyers, then the Augusta leading the columns. Before leaving I sent out a wire to all troops "The Commanding General compliments all men and officers on their magnificent confidence. Coupled with the Navy, victory is sure." All elements will not unite until the 26th. Then we will have over 100 vessels. I regret that Bea was not at the Hotel Chamberlin to see us pass. I thought we would clear in the dark, but it was too difficult. Admiral Hewitt impresses me better. Admiral Hall is great. October 25, 1942 "General Quarters" went at 6:30. It is also called "Man Battle Stations." I got up, exercised and took a bath as I guessed it was a drill. Went on flag bridge for a while and then had breakfast. The mess is super. I have to watch eating too much. Went to church with Keyes, Gay 3 and Lambert. It is less than two weeks now if all goes well. 1. Capt. A. C. Stiller, a.d.c 2. Sgt. W. G. Meeks, the General's orderly [*name rank & job*] 3. Col HR Gay c/s WTF -15- October 25, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) It was very calm but overcast. The forty-off boats looked fine. The Admiral had a sort of drill by flag signal and whistle. We had a staff conference this afternoon, mostly on signal communications. It seems to be blowing up but this is a very steady ship. Wherever I go on the ship a marine orderly follows me. I feel like a prisoner. I inspected the radar today and also saw an AA sight on a 20 millimeter. October 26, 1942 Until sunset we had a 22 knot south by west wind. Now it is flat but the moon is so bright that the Admiral has just started zig-zagging. I like him better all the time. I keep feeling that I should be doing something but there is nothing to do. So warm I have put on my light trousers and shirt. We have abandon ship drill every day. October 27, 1942 Today is Navy Day. Keyes wrote a letter to Hewitt for me to sign. It pleased him and he published both letters with my consent. Keyes is a grand man, never forgets. This afternoon I could see 40 ships. Tomorrow we pick up the carriers. The wind is northwest - bad for swells. October 28, 1942 Now the whole convoy is assembled - about 100 ships. We can only see about 40 but it is quite a sight. The sea train is right astern of us and far to the rear are for carriers. It was supposed to be rough today but it is not. A depth charge went off about 2:00 but it was probably a mistake. -16- October 28, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) I have been giving everyone a simplified directive of war. Use steamroller strategy, that is, make up your mind on a course and direction of action and stick to it. But in tactics do not steamroller. Attack weakness. Hold them by the nose and kick them in the arse. Having nothing to do, some of my people worry. I could myself, but won't. It is hard to realize that in 16 days I shall be up to my neck in work. At the moment I have nothing at all to do. There is the best mess on this ship I have ever seen. So far I have read part of the Koran, finished "Three Harbors", and "The Raft". "The Sun Is My Undoing" is pretty sticky. October 29, 1042 Nothing happened except that during the night our rudder jammed and we were nearly run down. I did not hear about this until morning. October 30, 1942 Today we oiled and had to proceed at 8 knots. The tanker came alongside and made fast. It was quite interesting. Both Admirals were on edge, due to our slow speed. Had wire that Ike is going to Washington. Then one that Giraud (1) is coming with us and that (Mess) [*Charles Mast] (2) is to be Deputy Commander- in-Chief. This puts Clark out of a job, so I fear the worst, but "Allah is just; Allah is merciful." About 30 minutes ago, 2130, we had a definite submarine 1. General Henri Honore Giraud 2. Gen C.E. Mast (ER) -17- October 30, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) contact to starboard and made an emergency turn to port. We have heard no depth charges so I am going to bed. Someone, possibly in this fleet, is sending a radio. It may be due to innocent practice or it may be a spy. [Maj.] Horst is suspect. Admiral Hewitt acceded to Truscott's request to visit two ships in his force. Hewitt has certainly been fine. We ran slow till 1600 to finish oiling. I finished the Koran - a good book and interesting. We had no spray on deck all day. It begins to look like we will get ashore without a fight. I am sorry. The troops need blooding; also, it would be better for future prospects. November 2, 1942 Gay, Lambert, Stiller, Jenson, Sgt. Meeks and I did some shooting on the fantail after lunch. I like the M-1 carbines very much. This is a perfectly lovely day with no sea, little wind and a bright sun. There was so little wind this morning that the carriers could not launch their plans, so the cruisers had to catapult their planes. It was most interesting and I got some pictures of the recoveries. November 3, 1942 Every once in a while the tremendous responsibility of this job lands on me like a ton of bricks, but mostly I am not in the least worried. I can't decide logically if I am a man of destiny or a lucky fool, but I think I am destined. Five more days will show. I really do very little, and have done very little, about this show. I feel that my claim to greatness hangs on an ability -18- November 3, 1942(cont'd p. 2) to lead and inspire. Perhaps when Napoleon said "Je m 'engage et puis je vois", he was right. It is the only thing I can do in this case as I see it. I have no personal fear of death or failure. This may sound like junk or prophecy, within a week. We had a [Command Post Exercise] this morning which was very dull. I can't see how people can be so dull and lacking in imagination. Compared to them I am a genius - I think I am. November 4, 1942 Things were so bad last night that they are bound to get better. Subs were all around us, at least four, apparently pursuing us with radar. There was a high north wind and it was very rough. All the conditions needed for high surf at Casablanca. Had radio that Giraud and {Moss Mast} are on the fence and that Murphy (1) wants to delay until they (the French) make up their mind as if 100,000 men all at sea, can wait. It looks from the radio as if Clark had told them "D" and "H" (2). The fool. I have always been opposed to talking with the French. Also it is reported that if we attack, the Spanish will move to the Sebu River line. This may interfere with Truscott at Port Lyautey. On the other hand it may bring the French in on our side. If the Spanish move to the Sebu it probably means they are in with the Axis and that closes the Straits and we must, repeat, must take Casablanca. Something good is bound to happen. 1. Hon. Hobart Murphy, U.S. Consul [General] at Algeria 2. "D" Day and "H" Hour. -19- Track of Augusta 1942 Latitude {*] Longitude[*] Oct. 25. 38 - 17'n 69 - 11' W Oct. 26 39 - 38 62 - 58 27 39 - 44 57 - 15 28 39 - 54 51 - 07 29 38 - 01 45 - 31 30 35 - 08 41 - 10 31 34 - 27 36 - 35 Nov. 1 32 - 12 32 - 10 2 27 - 59 28 - 57 3 28 - 26 24 - 24 4 31 - 34 21 - 55 5 33 - 28 18 - 22 6 34 - 19 13 - 21 7 34 - 30 10 - 05 November 5, 1942 Last night it was very rough, almost a storm. This morning it is still very rough with a 40 mile wind. The Admiral had hoped to refuel but it is too rough. This afternoon we did succeed in re-fueling some destroyers. Things are bound to get better as they could not get worse. I have done some extra praying. I hope that whatever comes up, I shall be able to do my full duty. If I can do that, I have nothing more to ask. Fate will determine what success I shall attain. We had a CPX today and got benefit from it. The Navy is quite anxious to fight. The younger of them want to close in to fire. I hope they do. November 6, 1942 Things are looking up. It is calmer and the wind has fallen to about 20 miles and is northeast, which is O.K. The forecast is for a possible landing condition. The intercepts indicate that the -20- French will fight. On the other hand they have taken ships, subs, and 400 soldiers out of the Casa for Dakar. Last night a Portugese ship was sighted, and ordered South. She complied. There are enemy subs all around but not close. We have slowed to 8 knots to fuel - not so good, but necessary. We have lots of air up. weather moderating. A British Catalina plane made contact with us. It was too cloudy to get a good fix. November 7, 1942 This morning it is very quiet and cool, almost too good to be true. Thank God. I hope He stays on our side. The Safi convoy quit us at 0600. The Lyautey one will pull out at 1500, in half and hour. Fortunately I found a detective story, "The Cairo Carter Murders" by Van Wyck Mason. I have just finished and will start to worry, or should I feel utterly confident? Our radar picked up three squadrons of planes on Isthmus of Gib and at that range. I hope they are not Boches. In 15 hours I should be ashore. I will not write any more in this while at sea. At 2120 radar reports land bearing 154 - 56,000 yards. Went to bed dressed and slept from 22300. This was hard to do. November 8, 1942 Woke at 0200, dressed and went on deck. Fedhala lights and lights at Casa burning, also lights on shore. Sea dead calm, no swell - God is with us. -21- November 8, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) H Hour was at 0400, delayed first 30, then 45 minutes, by Emmett. Loud speaker on deck told all the talk by the destroyers. They would say "All my chickens are here, am holding them". There were four destroyers anchored about 6,000 yards from shore, the transports were anchored at 18,000(too far I think). They had different colored lights to show right, left and center line of departure. Light house went dark at 0300. We had a sub on the surface which guided the destroyers in. At Safi we had radio "Batter up" (enemy firing) at 0445. At 0530 a search light showed apparently vertical at Fedhala, then turned on the beach. At once our destroyers opened fire with tracer. They looked like red fireflies. The light went out in about 10 minutes. At same time a French corvette showed up from the South. She was escorting three French ships. When she refused to half, the destroyers opened fire and shot off the mast and killed her Captain. I think she sank. The three merchant ships beat it and beached themselves to north. Augusta opened on Batterie du Port at Cape Fedhala at 0715 having fired first, and were short by 500 yards. Truscott radioed "Play ball" (am fighting) at 0713. USS Massachusetts batteries had been shelling battleship Jean Bart for about 30 minutes when six enemy destroyers came out of Casa at 0715. All ships in range opened on the destroyers and they went back. I was going ashore at 0800 and boat was on davits swung out with all our things in her, including my white pistols. I sent orderly to get them, and at that moment, 0800, a light cruiser and two big -22- November 8, 1942 (cont'd p. 3) destroyers came out of Casa, tearing up the coast close to shore to try and get our transports. At once Augusta speeded up to 20 knots and opened fire. The first blast from the rear turret blew the leading boat to hell and we lost all our things except my pistols. At about 0820 enemy bombers attacked transports and Augusta went to protect them. There was a hell of a racket but no damage was done. Then we went back into the fight with the French ships, about 0830, and fired hard for about three hours. Ranges ran from 18,000 to 27,000 yards. They bracketed us after using pink and green dyes on shells. I was on main deck just back of number two turret leaning on the rail when one hit so close that it splashed water all over me. When I was on the bridge later, one hit closer but I was too high to get wet. It was hazy and enemy used smoke well. I could just see them and make out our splashes. We had the Mass, the Brooklyn, the Augusta and some others all firing and going like hell in big zig-zags and curves to keep away from the subs. Four were said to be around but I saw more. The Ludlow, a destroyer, was hit and set on fire, but put it out. The Brooklyn was hit. Her 43-gun turret (6") fired like lightning, much faster than our 8", although we fired at times two salvos (9 guns at a time) each minute. You have to put cotton in your ears. Some of the people got white but it did not seem very dangerous to me - sort of impersonal. The French went back about 11:30. The Mass kept on shelling them in harbor with her 16" guns. We had lunch - naval war is nice and comfortable. -23- November 8, 1942 (cont'd p 4) Harmon took Safi at 0515 but we did not get the message till noon. It was a complete surprise. He captured a batallion of the Foreign Legion, three tanks and a lot of guns. Admiral Hall, Gay, Johnson(1), Ely (2), Jenson, Stiller, George Meeks and I went ashore at 1242, hit the beach at 1320, and got very wet in the surf. There was still quite a fight going on but I had no bullets. At 1340 Anderson met me with a French colonel, who suggested I send to Casa to demand a surrender. He said that the Army did not want to fight. I sent Gay and Wilbur (3). The Admiral refused to see them. The Army General (4) said he could do nothing, as Admiral Michelier was senior. His staff, on the side, gave us all the dope and even suggested that Casa could be taken more easily from the rear. Anderson had met weak resistance, mostly from the seacoast guns and AA guns manned by the Navy. One batallion of black infantry fought some but quit by daylight. The Navy men fought well and we got about 100 of them, including the major who was very bitter; he is dying - hole in lung. Anderson had both rivers and high ground to east by noon. The last battery on point Fedala was captured by mortar fire at about 1430. Anderson is good but lacks drive - however, he did well. Captured 8 of German Armistice Commission. Rattsy (5) stole their car for me. They only heard of the landing at 0600 so it was a complete surprise. 1. Col E. Johnson (Amphibious Hqs. Atlantic Fleet) 2. Col L. Ely 3. Col. W. H. Wilbur 4. Gen. [Auguste Negues] Desre, Military [Governor of French Morocco] Commander of French Troops in Casa. 5. Rattsy Col John P. G-2 Sect. W.T.F. -24- November 8, 1942 (cont'd p. 5) I inspected the town and port and all the French soldiers except the marines saluted and grinned. We put on mixed Military Police, half American and half French, with a First Lieutenant of chasseurs a cheval, Moroccan, as assistant Provost Marshal. Spent night at Hotel Miramar, very nice, but it had been hit several times so there was no water nor light and only cheese and fish to eat and champagne to drink. Colonel Wilbur did a very noble thing. He volunteered in Washington to go to Casa. He landed in first wave and drove to Casa in the dark with a white flag. He was shot at several times but at Casa the French accepted his flag and protected him. The Admiral refused to see him but the General did; and later said that, while he did not want to fight, he had to. Later Wilbur led a platoon of tanks to take a battery. God was very good to me today. Later Wilbur got Brigadier General and Medal of Honor. ) November 9, 1942 I got out of the Hotel before dawn and went to see Anderson, who was in bed. He should have been up. The beach was a mess and the officers were doing nothing. We had tried since the previous day to have the lighters use the harbor but Emmett never told them to. As a result they were beached half the time and whenever they got off it took half an hour. I cursed, and at last got a launch off to catch the boats and show them into the harbor. Had Anderson showed proper push this would have been done earlier. Just as I got the launch out, a boat turned end for end and drowned 16 men. We only found three -- they were a nasty -25- November 9, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) blue color. I was sorry. I got one of them. The French bombed the beach and later strafed it. One soldier, who was pushing a boat, got scared and ran onto the beach and assumed the Fields position(pre-natal) and jibbered. I kicked him in the fanny with all my might and he jumped right up and went to work. Some way to boost morale. As a whole the men were poor, the officers worse; no drive. It is very sad. I saw one Lieutenant let his me hesitate to jump into the water. I gave him hell. I hit another man who was too lazy to push a boat. We also kicked a lot of Arabs. Some of the air bombs got some of our wounded. Things were going so slow that I came back to see the Admiral. He ordered the doctor to give me a drink as I had had no food. I needed it. Got back to ship at 1310. Sent Keyes and all staff ashore at 1500. Truscott has Lyautay but not the airport. Had a tank fight with 15 Renaults. Semmes(1) must have had a good time. The derrick on the sea-train broke, so there will be a delay. I may attack Casa with the 3d Infantry Division only, and with a Naval bombardment and the air. Harmon has a small airport and I am sending one squadron of F-40's to him at dawn. Going to bed. Again God has been good. November 10, 1942 Today has been bad. Could get no news from either Truscott or Harmon except that Truscott wanted help. I had none to give. Anderson closed in on Casa and one batallion of the 7th Infantry broke badly under shell fire. Keyes, who was on the sport as usual, stopped them. I decided to take Casa anyway with only the 3rd Division 1. Col. H.H. Semmes fought under Gen. Patton in 2 wars and has 3 distinguished Service Crosses. -26- November 10,1942 (cont'd p.2) And Nelson's armored battalion. It took some doing, as we were out numbered but I felt we should hold the initiative. An important Frenchman came and suggested that I write the Sultan. I did doubted if it does any good. At 2200 Admiral came in to arrange naval support. He brought fine news. The airport at Lyautey was taken and 42 P-40's were on it. Harmon had defeated an enemy column, destroying 19 trucks and 6 tanks. He is marching on Casa. All this show that we should push in. "God favors the bold, victory is to the auda- cious." November 11,1942 Lambert woke me 04/20 to say that Commandant Lebel from Rabat was here and that the French at Rabat and Lyautey had ceased firing. Staff wanted me to call off attack but I would not yet. It was too late and besides it is bad to change plans. Anderson wanted to attack at dawn but I choose 0730 so as to give him a chance to form up by daylight. I also warned Admiral Hewitt to be ready to call off his air and gun fire on my "Cease fir- ing". Actually the French quit at 0640 so had we attacked at 0600 as planned many needless lives would have been lost. Again the hand of God. I said I would take Casa by D plus 3 and I did. A nice birth- day present. Kayes gave me a letter from Bea at 0430. General Nogues and Admiral Michelier came to discuss terms at 1400. I had a guard honor. No use kicking a man when he is down. I had written a set of terms along the lines IKE had sent me. They were so different from those used in Algeria that I decided to have a gentlemen's agreement until I found out what IKE had done. The 1. Major ( Richard Nelson) Lue A Div. 2. Gen Patton( G.S. Ps birthday) November 11, 1942 (cont'd P. 2) French don't want to fight. I felt that most of the time they bombed the ocean rather than the beach. Harmon did a fine thing as his last tank got off at 1730 yesterday and he marched at 1800 getting to Mazagan (90 miles) by this morning. There he had a fight at the bridge, aided by the Navy, also refueled from two destroyers and marched on. The cease firing order stopped him. We are in Casa and have the harbor and airport. One of our transports is reported sunk in Fedhala Bay. "The God of fair beginnings has prospered here my hand I dared extreme occasion and never one betrayed." To God be the praise. November 12, 1942 Got up early and went to dock. Nothing was going right. Some soldiers gave me some coffee. Six French trucks ready to help were standing idle because no one took hold. Found a Lieutenant and put him to work with the trucks. Harmon came up and gave me his story. He has done well. Anderson also came in to report. Chief of Civil Staff for General Nogues came in and tried to get me committed on politics. Just after supper four transports were torpedoed in harbor. It was really terrible to see them burn. One burned from 0800 to 11:30 She was full of ammunition and air bombs, also 400,000 pounds of frozen beef. Scout car with my things was last vehicle to get off. -28- Admiral [Bernhard] Bieri November 12, 1942 (cont'd p. 2) God is still for me. Keyes and Kenner (1) [and Col Fraubliu ?(MD)] took care of burned crews, about 250 badly hurt. French surgeon general got hurt in auto accident and died. Got several messages that General Nevins (2) of Ike's staff wanted to see me. Told him to come today. At last Admiral Hewitt phoned asking me to come. I got there about 0115 and a bunch from Ike's staff tried t put me on the spot for not disarming the French. I assumed the offensive, showing them that to disarm or discredit the French meant an Arab war which would demobilize 60,000 men as a starter. All agreed with me at last. Got only three hours' sleep today. We moved to Casa, office third floor Shell building, former manager's office, very handsome. He gave me some roses. We had over 2,000 Navy ashore from sunk boats and clothed all, but hope to get clothes back as we have no reserves. My men gave blankets to the wounded and slept cold. Called on French Admiral and General. They had Guards of Honor for me. So did I for them when they called back. The honor regiment of Moroccan Infantry had a goat as mascot with the band. When we first landed in England in 1917 the Welsh Fusillers had their goat. I wonder if this is a significant circumstance? Very tired, going to bed. We change to Moroccan time at midnight tonight, an hour faster than Greenwich. Clark made a Lieutenant General. We came into Casa at 1530. The citizens were quiet but certainly no moved. 1. Col. Albert Kenner, Chief Medical Officer, W.T.F. 2. Brig. Gen AS. Nevins was on Fredendall's staff. -29- November 12, 1942 (cont'd p.2) The Guard of Honor, one company of infantry a platoon of tanks was poor. No music. When I left the "Augusta" for keeps today, the entire crew lined the side of the ship and cheered. I was later told that this was spontaneous and seldom, if ever, accorded a non-navel person. November 14, 1942 Nothing of importance happened except that Generals Gruenther and Doolittle, from Ike, flew in and gave me the news. My plan was a proper one but Ike has a poor set up. Darlan heads civil side French North Africa. Giraud has the military and Nogues is governor of Morocco. The first and are crooks. Nogues is right now trying to stir up trouble. I sent Black and Wilbur to see him (Nogues) and tell him if he doesn't come across it will be too bad. Heard John Waters 2 got mentioned in orders. November 15, 1942 Black and Wilbur had great success with Nogues. He has issued a proclamation stabilizing the franc at 75 to one. I had to tell him that if he did not do it I would - it worked. General Ike sent me a letter to Nogues in fairly strong terms, but with a paragraph in it telling Nogues to report to him if I failed to play ball. Probably a political move but a mistake. As I see it, an American can do no wrong 1. Adu J.F Darlan (Fr) 2. Lt.Col. J.K. Waters, Gen. Patton's son-in-law. -30- November 15, 1942(cont'd p.2) Sent Nogues a letter recapitulating what he had agreed to do with Black. November 16, 1942 Went to Rabat to call on Nogues and the Sultan. Second Armor- ed Division had an escort at edge of town to take me to residency. I felt it would just rub it in on the French, so I dismissed it. At the Residency there was squadron of Spahis and a company of Goumiers, with two sets of field music, including a brass umbrella with bells 1 around the edge, much tooting and saluting. At the pal- ace they turned out about 400 Nubians, red fezzes, red bolero jack- ets, red bloomers, white spats, red Moroccan leather equipment. The officers, white men, wore French model uniforms of red cloth. The green flag of the prophet, made of velvet with Arabic letters in the middle of gold fringe, with lance banded in gold, was held by a huge Negro with a white turban. They had a band with horns, drums, cymbals, and the brass umbrella. After saluting this guard we entered an inner court full of white robed men in biblical dress. Here the Grand Vizier in white with enormous gold-filled teeth met us and we went up three flights of stairs to see the Sultan. The throne room is long narrow with magnificent red rugs. On the left in stocking feet were the pashas, on the right a line of Louis XV chairs. One bowed from the hips on entering, again in the middle of the room, and again at the dais. The Sultan, a handsome, 1. called " chapeau chinois" -31 November 16, 1942(cont'd p.2) Frail young man, rose and shook hands. We sat down and he made a little speech of welcome, then I made a speech, laying down the law with due respect. It pleased the French and Keyes thought it was good. Lunch at the Residency. a truly beautiful Moorish house with lovely garden. There were several fine Moorish forts on the road, also a number of burnt trucks and armored cars gotten by our air. A deputation from General Clark arrived with a letter for the Sultan from the President. It was patently not approps, so I took the liberty of holding it. I will see Ike at Gib 1 tomorrow. A cap- tain from Giraud's staff reported to me to test out sentiment. I told him he must first see Giruad. I intend to play straight even if the French do not. Called on Admiral Hewitt and gave him a letter of thanks. He thinks we got a sub in our new mine field. November 17, 1942 Flew to Gib in one hour 15 minutes two seconds - very low, about 150 feet over water. We had four P-40's for escort. I went in a B-25 at 210 miles per hour, a very pretty trip. We circled the Rock once. One P-40 could not get its wheels down so made a belly landing. One more ruined plane. Ike lives in a cave in the middle of the rock - in great danger. His chief of staff, G-2 and G-4 are British, and so are many of his words. I was disappointed in him. He talked of trivial things. We wasted a lot of time at lunch with the governor of the Rock, an old fart in shorts with red legs. Ike backed me up about letter to Sul- tan. He wants me to send two companies of medium tanks to General Ken- neth Anderson (British) to fight the Boches - I am arranging it. He 1. Gibraltar, General Eisenhower's headquarters. -32- November 17, 1942 ( cont'd p.2) Was nice but not enthusiastic over our war. I must see to it that I make much of my Generals. He asked me if Clark was a Jew. I said at least one-quarter, probably one-half On the way back, the Spanish at Tangier shot at my left escort plane and possibly at me, but their aim was bad. November 18, 1942 I flew to Rabat to accompany Nogues to the Levee of the Sultan on the 15th anniversary of his accession to the throne. We were es- corted from the Residency to the Palace by a squadron of cavalry on what were said to stallions. Men had white caps, blue hoods, white turbans and red blouses with black frogs. At the palace there was a whole regiment of similarly dressed cavalry exceptionally well mounted. One squadron had lances. Inside the ceremony was similar to the one I had already attended except that the Crown Prince was present, a boy of perhaps 14. Nogues read a long prepared speech which was repeated in Arabic although the Sultan, a graduate of Oxford, speaks both French and English fluently. When the Sultan had replied I felt that the U.S. should be heard, so without asking anyone's permission, I stepped Into the middle of the room and made a very respectful but pointed speech which was well received by both the Arabs and French; in fact the Sultan said that the fact of my being present and having spoken would have a profound effect on the entire Moslem world. HEADQUARTERS WESTERN TASK FORCE 19 November, 1942 My dear General Eisenhower: The following points are of interest: 1. The reconnaissance over the Port Lyautey-Fes-Taza Road. We sent an armored reconnaissance company, accompanied by a French officer, from Port Lyautey, Taza, and return. On a march west, they took the lower road from Rabat to Meknes, Fes, Taza. A French commanding officer at Meknes accompanied the reconnaissance to Taza and beyond. At all points along the road the French were most cordial and helpful. The officer reports that at least 50 per cent of the road passes through country which does not permit units leaving the road, and that there are five points where serious resistance could be offered. Of these the most important are two bridges just west of Taza. On the return trip, the road, Fes-Petitjan-Port Lyautey, was used and is considered the better as the country is less mountainous. All road and railway bridges in the entire route were guarded by French troops as I have requested. Yesterday, the 18th, I sent two squadrons of fighters under the command of General Cannon to Oujda. The airport there is good and can be enlarged without much effort. The French air officers were most cordial and offered every assistance. I will shortly send you a proposed grouping of air units along the Port Lyautey-Taza-Oujda road, as it is my belief that our air strength should be in this vicinity rather than south of Casablanca. First because it is in the direction of where you wish to use it, and secondly because from airports in this vicinity German interference by air or by land can be most adequately and promptly met. 2. President Roosevelt's speech. Yesterday, November 18, I went to Rabat to attend the Sultan's anniversary. General Nogues was very much perturbed with respect to the President's speech as reported by the French press. I did my best to reassure him and had some success. As I see it the French position in Morocco rests almost entirely on the mythical supremacy of France, which at the present time is represented to the Arab mind by Darlan as a direct emissary from the Marshal[*1*]. Anything which is said in the United States to destroy this mythical French authority could have and probably will have a very adverse effect on the Arab. I am convinced that the Sultan, who is a graduate of Oxford, is wholly for us, but he has not the authority or the means of controlling the Arabian tribes whereas, the French prestige, nebulous as it may seem to us, can and will maintain order. I am fully in accord with you as to the necessity of dealing with Darlan if for no other reason that to retain this prestige. I am enclosing a full report on this subject prepared by Colonel Wilbur, who accompanied me on the trip. 1. Petain 34 3. The Sultan's anniversary. It was impressed upon me by the French that it was vitally important for me personally to attend this ceremony. I accordingly flew to Rabat and attended. I enclose a copy of the daily paper describing the occasion as the French saw it. When I arrived I did not know exactly what I was up against. After we were presented to the Sultan, Nogues read a long report, which is accurately copied in the newspaper. The Sultan's reply is equally accurate. My own speech, which I made on the spur of the moment, is not exactly as I stated. When Nogues had finished his speech and been answered by the Sultan, it occurred to me that as a representative of the dominant power in Morocco, I should say something. Therefore, without asking anyone's permission, I stepped up in front of the throne and made the following statement in English, which the Sultan clearly understood but which was translated into French and then into Arabic in order to comply with the formality of the occasion. I said, "Your Majesty, as a representative of the great president of the United States, whom I have the honor to represent, as the commander of huge military force in Morocco, I wish to present the compliments of the United States on this occasion, the 15th anniversary of your ascension to the throne of your ancestors, and I wish to assure you that so long as Your Majesty's country, in cooperation with the French Government of Morocco, cooperates with us and facilitates our efforts, we are sure, with the help of God to achieve certain victory against our common enemy, the Nazis. "I am convinced that Your Majesty and the French Government of Morocco share this opinion. So long as we are in accord on this point, we have only the brightest future to look forward to. I am impelled to the belief in this mutual accord when I remember that one of Your Majesty's great predecessors presented to our famous president, George Washington, the buildings now occupied by the American Mission at Tangiers, and when I also remember that since the days of the great Washington, the accord and friendship with the French has been equally profound. "I wish to take this occasion of complimenting Your Majesty on the intelligent cooperation which his subjects have accorded the Americans and also to express again my profound appreciation of the excellent bearing and splendid discipline of Your Majesty's soldiers." These remarks seem to have had a very satisfactory effect on both the Arabs and the French. In fact the Sultan told me that my presence and my remarks would have a profound effect on the whole Moslem world of which he was the spiritual head, because, since the Turks had unveiled their women, they had lost face with Allah. I am not sure my influence with Allah is very profound, but it is nice to have him think so. I trust that I did not overstep the bounds of propriety in doing what I did, but as I have already said, I felt that the prestige of the United States must be upheld. 4. French Cooperation. So far as I am able to learn, both from reports of others and from personal observation, the French cooperation with us has been complete on the part of both the army, navy, and civilian affairs. Yesterday, the French Navy performed a truely 35 masterful feat in bringing in practically all of our number 2 convoy into the harbor, rapidly and efficiently. It is only fair to say that the work of the American Navy, particularly, that of Admiral Hall, was of the highest order. The docks from the loads of the first convoy have been cleared, and the second convoy is now unloading, and the troops from it have been marched to their various bivouacs. I believe the situation is extremely satisfactory. 5. Supplies. Owing to the fact that we fired less ammunition than had been anticipated and further to the fact that our losses in landing and by torpedo were less than we had figured, our own supplies in ammunition and gasoline are more than satisfactory. I believe that the feat of unloading the major part of the first convoy in Casablanca is an outstanding accomplishment, because in the initial plan all this material was to be unloaded at the beaches. By using Casablanca we have saved time and material and reduced the menace of submarines. On the other hand, the terrible crowded state of the harbor of Casablanca is an ever present danger. A successful German bombardment of this harbor in its present condition would probably render it wholly useless. I, therefore urge upon you the high desirability of providing this force with night fighters, equipped with Radars as a means of countering the hazard of a night bombardment. At present we have no night fighters. 6. The fight at Port Lyautey. Yesterday, I visited General Truscott and went over the battleground. This was really a very vicious fight, lasting three days. In the course of it our tanks attacked and defeated eighteen modern Renault tanks equipped with machine guns and short 37's, and protected by over two inches of armor. In these tank battles, of which there were three, Lt. Colonel Semmes showed great military capacity and utter daring. All the fighting took place at ranges under 300 yards, much of it at 100 yards. I counted on Semmes' tank 10 hits from French 37's, none of which penetrated. The 70th Tank Company, which led the attack on the airport, had one tank knocked out by 20 mm. armor-piercing ammunition. It is true that the range was extremely short, less than a 100 yards, but this ammunition punched the tank at sharp angles of incidence. In the attack on the old Moorish fort at Lyautey, we had a real movie war. Truscott moved his 105 self-propelled guns to within 200 yards of the wall, blew holes in it, and the garrison was finally overcome by bayonets and hand grenades, many men being actually killed by both weapons. The French defending this fort belonged to the Foreign Legion and fought magnificently. One point of interest is that while we were holding the lighthouse, the French counterattack at dusk was made with more than a battalion. At that time we had one platoon in the lighthouse. An infantry 2nd Lieutenant, S. W. Sprindis, 60th Infantry, armed with a rocket gun moved from place to place behind the wall, firing on the French and giving them the impression that a battery of 75's were present. This impression was so strong that the French fell back, and the lighthouse was held. I believe that this fact will be of interest to you as demonstrating the effectiveness of the rocket gun. On the other hand, steps should be taken which will protect the firer of the rocket gun from the back blast of the rocket. At the present time the firer is considerably burned each time he discharges the weapon. While these burns are not serious, they are disconcerting. I promoted this man to a First Lieutenant and shall recommend him for a decoration. I desire to point out to you that in future landing operations we must dispense with gas masks, extra ammunition, and even packs. Our men were too heavily loaded. The leading waves should have only rifles and 100 rounds of ammunition. 7. Commodities. Owing to the dearth of commodities in Morocco, the Arabs have no interest in money. On the other hand, they will do anything for coffee, tea, sugar, and cloth. This was demonstrated by the fact that we have secured twenty-four hours work out of the tugboats by giving them a hundred pounds of coffee and a hundred pounds of sugar apiece. This brings out the necessity of having one or two ships loaded with sugar, tea, coffee, cotton goods, and perhaps some shoes sent here at your earliest convenience. We also should have one ship load of coal because while there is some here it will certainly be exhausted prior to the earliest possible arrival of a coal ship. In closing I can assure you that unless I am badly mistaken I can handle the French and Arabs and assure you complete cooperation. Along this line I am tomorrow morning attending Mass with General Nogues in commemoration of the valorous dead, American and French, in our late unpleasantness. You may presently discover I have become a Mohammedan. I think that I told you that on the way over I read the Koran from cover to cover. The French civilians and some of the army are very mad with General Nogues because they state that for two hours General Bethouard held him a prisoner, and that had he had any sense he could have used that as an excuse for a bloodless surrender. While I agree with him in principle, I also think that Nogues, due to German propoganda, had no conception of our offensive and believed we were only making a token raid. In any case that is water over the dam. I am contemplating moving further east and possibly establish the Headquarters of the Western Task Force in the vicinity of Oujda as soon as circumstances, particularly transportation permit. Naturally I shall do nothing along these lines until I have received your instructions. Very sincerely, G. S. PATTON, JR., Major General, U. S. Army, Commanding Lieutenant General D. D. Eisenhower Allied Force Headquarters CP 37 November 18, 1942 (cont'd p.2) I then flew to Lyautey and saw Truscott, Semmes, and deRohan 1 and went over the scene of the fighting. They had a real contest, losing 7 officers and 76 men killed and about 250 wounded. Semmes engaged the French tanks at a hundred yards and routed them. His own tank was hit 10 times by 37 millimeter but was not penetrated. He personally got 4 French tanks. The Naval supporting fire, put on by air [spot] spotters was fine. At the old fort 2 it was necessary to breech the wall with 105 millimeter fire at 200 yards, and then assault with the grenade and bayonet. Second Lieutenant S.W. Sprindis, 60th Infantry, held the light house against a French battalion with a platoon. He used a rocket gun from different parts and fooled the French into thinking he had a battery of 75's. I promoted him to First Lieutenant. I said, "Lieutenant, what is your rank?" He replied "Second Lieutenant, Sir." I said, "You are a liar, Sir, you are now a First Lieutenant." Admiral Hewitt and I had dinner with Mr. Culbert and a lot of French civilians; one woman, a Bourbon Princess, was quite pretty. They were all mad with Nogues because, when Bethouart held him prisoner for two hours, Nogues had a good excuse to quit and failed to use it. I think he did not believe we had the force we actually had. The President's press conference, in which he practically repudiated Ike and Darlan, had a bad effect. I told Nogues it was only a trial balloon and not to worry. People should not try to settle things by radio. 1. Col F.J. de Rohan 2. A bronze cannon from this fort, dated 1521, was presented to General Patton by General Truscott and the 3rd Division. The Navy brought it home and it now stands on the lawn at General Patton's home, Green Meadows. 38 November 19, 1942 Wrote a long report to Ike and was just about to sent it when I received a wire that he was on the way here. Keyes and I just got to the airport in time. He was interested, but had no definite plan, and said that the situation in Spain was still uncertain. He said he had today recommended Fredendall and me for three stars. This looks as if Clark, who has never commanded a battalion, will get the Fifth Army. 1 However, the Lord has helped me a lot and I think He will let me fulfill my destiny. General Wilson is leaving for U.S. tonight on the Augusta. All the D plus 7 convoy is in and the port is crowded. I hope the Nazis don't come over. It would be a good target and we have no night fighters. French Commanding General (Gen Desre) at Casablanca called at 1500. 1. Before leaving Washington, General Patton was told that he would command Fifth Army and was given the Army flag at that time. B.A.P. -39- November 20, 1942 Keyes and I saw Admiral Hewitt off this morning at 0800. My cut is still infected so I did not walk much. Sent word to Nogues to stop unfavorable broadcasts by Radio Morocco and to make Press come across. His Chief of Staff called this PM. They need arms and want to have us train some specialists. I think I will. Had lunch with Captain Douglas 1 on his flag ship of D plus 5 convoy. Took pictures of harbor. Read press report intercepts. Apparently the Western Task Fork was not in the war. I feel a little hurt. We are having our first band concert in front of the headquarters. Much clapping by the French, also by U.S. sailors. Played the Marseilles and Star Spangled Banner. November 21, 1942 Sent in M.H., D.S.M, D.S.C and LM 2 citations to Commander-in-Chief this morning. Keyes presented Sultan with President's telegram. I told French Navy to man their coast artillery and antiaircraft batteries. Admiral Hewitt made vice admiral. Colonel Guillaume, officer in charge of Native Affairs under Nogues, called at 1500 and talked for one and a half hours. He is worried over the Jews because he fears that, egged on by their race in the U.S., they will try to take a lead here and that when they do, the Arabs will murder them. I told him that he and the Sultan would have to handle the affair as we could not touch it. I also got some information about Spain and how to distribute our tea, sugar, etc. 1. CAPT A.D.DOUGLAS (USN) 2. Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Sercice Cross and Legion of Merit. Medal; Distinguished -40- November 21, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Went to supper with Culbert ; about 50 people half and half French and U.S. Madame Hardion, wife of Secretary of State for Nogues, told me why the French fought us. She said that they were so ashamed of 1940 that they could not live with themselves, and their wives would not live with them, unless they fought, but now that we had killed a couple of thousand of them, things were O.K. She got so excited she cried. November 22, 1942 We have been here two weeks today. In a way it seems years or again, only minutes. Keyes and I went to Mass this morning. I, at least, had reason to take a little time off to thank God. There were quite a lot of widows, made by us, in the church. They cried a good deal but did not glare at us. It seems strange to hear the Lord referred to as "Le Bon Diue lui-meme." Nothing happened. I inspected camps, the docks and the airfield. Gave air officers hell for not saluting. Men fairly clean and in good spirits. Met the first drunk soldier so far, and he was really drunk. Two sober soldiers were taking him home. He wanted to hit me but was too drunk. Got a box of things from Bee. November 23, 1942 Went to Mass for the Dead. Very long, much dumb show, chanting, and most impressive. Then we went to the cemetery and put flowers on a tablet. Former Governor George Earl, now Lieutenant Commander U.S. Navy, came to lunch. I hope I did not talk too much to him. Talked to General -41- November 23, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Cannon about spreading our planes more so as to avoid losses when we are bombed. Colonel John Conklin 1 has ulcer of the stomach and will have to be sent home. Working out plans to regroup troops in such a way that they can move out. November 24, 1942 Flew to Oran in the nose of a B-25. Followed road all the way. It is very winding and has many easily destroyed bridges and two or three tunnels on the railroad. It can only be regarded as a hazardous line of supply. After passing Taza there is a startling change in the nature of the country from fine rich farming and orchard land to desert hills. It is reminiscent of coming through the San Gorgonio pass headed east. However, the hills are much lower, not over 2,000 feet. Type of dwelling also changes and becomes French. Oran is a purely French town. Very few native costumes are visible. The airfield nearest Oran was the poorest disciplined place I have ever seen. Fredendall is very gloomy. He fears that he and I will hold the bag while our troops in small bunches are shipped to the British. I fear that the British have again pulled our leg and will end up with the half. This was not the initial plan. I seem to be the only one beating my wings against the cage of inaction. The others simply say how much better off we are than the people at home. I don't want to be better off - I want to be Top 1. Engineer officer W.T.F. Later returned to become the engineer officer of Third Army and served with great distinction. -42- November 24, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Dog and only battle can give me that. Bea sent me a lot of stars but I fear that I shall have no occasion to put them on. On the other hand, from time to time the thought comes to me that I have a mission, and that so long as I do my full duty nothing can stop me. But the waiting is hard. Perhaps I am being made perfect through suffering, for I do suffer when I cannot move. I had Press in this morning and told them no quotes. I had already told them that. I am pretty low today. Wrote a Thanksgiving order in my best style. November 26, 1942 Inspected elements of 7th and 15th Infantry marching North on Rabat. 15th was marching beautifully, 7th was too spread out. Gave three men of 7th hell for riding a truck. Later found that one was wounded, had been decorated, and one had done a fine job in the fighting, so I went back and gave them a ride in my car. A drunken, or dazed soldier got disrespectful to me. I pointed my whip at his hand and told him to take it out of his pocket. He said I had hit him and wanted to fight me. Stiller quieted him. We moved to Villa [Mass] Mas 1. It is the most ostentatiously magnificent house I have ever seen. My suite had five rooms, but I kept only the bedroom and bath. Went to Thanksgiving dinner with American Consul and ate too much. November 27, 1942 Was quite sick all day with the stomachache, but had to go to a 1. Owned by Mr MAS (Publisher of Morrocan Newspapers) -43- large dinner given me by Mr. Poussier, Chief of Civil Affairs. Admiral Michelier and the Pasha of Marrakech were present. I sat next to the Pasha, whose French being almost as bad as mine, understood me very well. He is 68, has 20 wives, and is supposed to sleep with each one at least once a week. He is very thin. Also, he is a great hunter and is going to have a Sanglier hunt for me. I sent him home by airplane and gave him a ride in a tank. He came here especially to meet me. November 28, 1942 I stayed in the house until 3:00 p.m. and took some pills of a very colorful sort, given me by Doctor Kenner. I feel much better and lighter. Nogues and his staff called at 4:00 PM and talked for one and one half hours, saying nothing. I replied in kind. I should have been a diplomat. November 29, 1942 Went to English church. It is very small but was crowded with soldiers and officers. I saw the first good-looking woman I have met in Morocco. Don't know who she was. Lieutenant Colonel Tank 1 came and we talked about the harbor. He thinks the Navy is loafing - perhaps they are. He has unloaded 400 tons a day in a poor harbor. That equals or exceeds peace-time rates. November 30, 1942 My foot is about well so I spent two hours on the dock telling the men how well they had done. They have been superhuman. However, there are tons of gas and bombs still on the dock. If the Nazis hit it, there will be no harbor. We hope to clear the dock tonight. Inspected all dumps and store houses at Casa. Considering 1. Lt. Col C. F. TANK (G-4 Sect WTF) -44- November 30, 1942 (cont'd p.2) the rain and lack of time, they are in fine shape. Used my new jeep with flags.- it makes a better impression on the men than does a closed car. General Clark called me at 1500 and asked me to fly to Algiers. I leave at 9:00 in the morning. I hope it means fighting. I hate this organizing, and Keyes can do it better than I can. I am a fighter. News of the Coconut Grove fire in Boston scared me quite a lot. I see how Bea feels when a battle is on. December 1, 1942 Self, Harkins 1 and Jenson left Casa by air for Algiers. Made it in 3 hours 70 minutes arriving 12:23 PM. Saw Clark, Gruenther and Ike. Ike is sick, has a cold, but is low too - lacks decision. Wired UK to see if it would be OK for me to send a couple of companies north of Sebou River. Had supper with Ike, Clark and Davis, the Adjutant General. At 9:30 PM. Ike had phone from Gibraltar and said, "Well, Wayne, you get the Fifth Army". I had expected this but it was a shock. I sat on for half an hour and left. It means that I simply have a Corps. "The best laid plans of mice and men." I felt so awful that I could not sleep for a while, but I shall pass them yet. December 2, 1942 When I woke this morning the sun was shining - it hardly seemed possible - such is the resilience of youth. Now it looks as if the 1. Lt.Col. Paul D.Harkins, Deputy Chief of Staff, W.T.F. -45- SOUK EL ARBA December 2, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Spanish would jump us which is fine and may fix everything. Going to lunch with Darlan, Ike, etc., at 1300. Went to call on General Ryder 1 who is in the old German consulate. They had more trouble landing than we did. General Porter 2 took me to where Colonel Eddy Doyle (old Fifth Cavalry) was killed. He was very brave and died well ahead of his men. Flying back, which I did on the receipt of probably erroneous information of a German landing in Spanish Morocco, we hedge-hopped a lot, one hundred miles, and stampeded Arabs, donkeys, sheep and camels and had a lot of fun. We were about 75 feet about the ground. I decided that my disappointment was but an additional act of God to temper me, so I feel fine. December 3, 1942 Woke up feeling much younger. Spent some three hours on docks talking to men. I am to give the first decoration of this war to a corporal of the 7th Infantry who drove Colonel Wilbur to Casablanca. I had already given him the Silver Star. December 4, 1942 Drove to Rabat and Command Post Second Armored Division. Passed 7th and 15th Infantry and 41st Field Artillery Battalion, all marching very well. I complimented the men and officers. The 2d Armored Division has a wonderful camp and is perfect, as usual. Sent one light tank company and one armored infantry platoon to Suk el Arba [Arab] and rest of armored infantry company to Diebel ben Hallal. 1. MAJ Gen Charles W Ryder, commanding Eastern Task Force 2. Brig Gen R.E. Porter -46- December 4, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Stopped to see Gen. J.W. Anderson at Fedhala. I issued orders that no vehicle get within 50 yards of any other vehicle. Had a chill but got over it. December 5, 1942 Inspected docks. A colonel in command of the port came to see me and started by asking me to recommend him for a Brigadier General. He then talked for 15 minutes, telling me how good he was and how Colonel Muller 1 was interfering with him. I think he is crazy. Keyes and I paid a dinner call on Monsieur Poussier. December 6, 1942 Monsieur Poussier took me hunting Sanglier [*(wild Pig)*]. Left house at 0630 drove 115 kilometers to Sidi Sbaa, a forest rangers station. There were 250 natives to act as beaters, half of them mounted. Owing to the fact that the autos were visible, the first drive netted one pig and one jackal. The second beat was in the valley. I got two pigs and a jackal and shot above myself. I had a very fine over-and-under 12 gauge belonging to Monsieur Poussier. You use an expanding slug in the first barrel and buckshot in the second. The slug is very effective and has a range of 100 yards. I killed one running pig at 90 yards with a brain shot. The French thought I did it on purpose but of course I just shot at the pig. I got the second pig also, running at 50 yards with a heart shot, also using a slug. The jackal I killed with buckshot the same way. The Arabs are very picture sque and make a hell of a noise. Their horses are nimble, fast, but badly broken. After the hunt we had a 1. Col. Walter J. Muller, G-4, WTF -47- Moroccan feast at about 2:30 PM. A whole sheep for each six people, then a whole chicken and then barley stew. This last is hard to eat. In all Arab feasts you can only use three fingers of the right hand. I got some pictures and movies, but as it was raining these may not come out. When we got home we gave the French hot rum. -48- December 7, 1942 Inspected camps of local troops. They are in good shape. Discipline and dress improving. December 8, 1942 We have been here one month today. Went to Rabat to have lunch with Boisson, Governor of Dakar. Nogues and Michelier were there and were most demonstrative of friendship. Had talk with Grand Vizier and Protocol. They wanted me to know the political situation. They are scared to death of a Jew rising under American help. I told them to manage it and not to let the thing come to a head. The Grand Vizier is a smart old Arab of 92 who said that his quarter hour talk with me had marked the happiest moment of his life. I told him I felt the same way. Mme. Nogues is a very clever woman - she probably furnishes the brains for Nogues, who is a clever crook only moved by self interest; but he knows I am his best interest for the moment, so that is that. Am going to Tunis in the morning to get a close-up of the fighting. Something is going wrong there. We are losing too many tanks. Hope John Waters is OK. December 9, 1942 Started for Algiers at 0900. No plane ready. Finally started at 1100 in Transport. At Ouidja, clouds shut down and we climbed and reached the sea at Nemours [(?)] flew up the coast at about 200 feet. When we got to Algiers at 1530 we were fired on, 18 rounds, by AA shell. The three first were near enough to shake the plane and one piece hit wing. Just before we arrived, three Italian torpedo planes came in low and got one ship, so gunners were nervous. Had dinner with Ike. General Frederick Morgan, British, was also there. Talked of Sa. Majeste. Morgan is to take Tangiers. Leave for front in morning in scout car. -49- ACCOUNT OF GENERAL PATTON'S VISIT TO THE TUNISIAN FRONT I tried to take off at 9 o'clock on Wednesday, December 9, 1942, for Algiers, but through some mistake no plane was ready. I was offered a very big transport, which I refused to fly in because it was so dirty. I told them to have a clean plane for me at 11 o'clock. We took off at 11 o'clock in very fine flying weather. When we reached a point between Fes and Taza, we hit an overcast at about 3,000 feet, which kept going down and we stayed under it until we were flying so that the tops of the telegraph poles were about the same height as the motors. Suddenly the mist went clear to the ground and we could see nothing. This was very embarrassing as we were in high mountains which we could not see. The pilot put on power and pulled straight up and fortunately we did not hit anything. After he had gotten enough altitude to clear the mountains, which at that point are only about 5,000 feet, we headed for the Mediterranean. As we figured we were over it with a good margin of safety, we nosed down through the fog and finally came out of it between 200 and 500 feet above the water. We then turned to the right until we came on the coast in the vicinity of Benisaf [*Beni-SAF*], which is 18 miles northeast of NEMOURES [Namoures]. It was perfectly clear between the overcast and the water so we flew up the coast as there was nothing else to do. This gave us a good conception of the terrifically rough nature of the shore. In the whole flight of some 300 miles along the coast, there were not ten places where a human being cold have gotten out of the water except in the harbors, of which there were about eight. Finally we rounded the headland into Algiers and could see a large fleet of transports, escorted by warships, at anchor. I noticed one of these ships blinking at us, but the co-pilot, who had the recognition lamp, was talking on the radio and did not see it. -50- Presently there was a violent concussion, and I looked out the window and saw the anti-aircraft shells bursting all around us. Everytime one would burst close by it felt as if the whole ship was going to pieces. One came close enough to make a hole in the wing with a fragment. We were blinking vigorously by this time and headed out to sea. I counted 18 explosions. We finally landed by making a circle well outside the anti-aircraft defenses. On landing nobody met us, as for some unknown reason the British had been unable to decode the telegram stating I was coming. While waiting for Lt. Commander Butcher, General Eisenhower's Aide, to come out and get me, I learned that just before we came in sight of the harbor, three Italian torpedo planes, flying from the same direction as ourselves, had come in and successfully sunk one ship. This naturally made the fleet nervous and accounts for their firing at us. I reported to General Eisenhower, who arranged to send me to the front Thursday morning, with two scout cars and five days' rations, water, and our bedding rolls. General Clark was forward with the British Corps Commander, and I was to meet him on the road. General Eisenhower stated that while he believed General Wilbur should get the medal of honor, my wording of the citation was not [sufficiently] strong enough. He gave me permission to rewrite it, which I did. I left next morning at 8:30 to drive to the front. The first part of the road is through open rolling country, looking entirely French. We then passed through a narrow defile, in fact, a gorge, with a river on one side and a cliff on the other. When you emerge from this, you come into an open valley and proceed to a very winding road through country reminiscent of the Garvey Hills in California, except that there was a good deal more verdure. Apparently the country is either run on a community basis or else is owned by large landowners. In one field I saw nineteen 12-bull plows, working at one time. -51- Ahras In my opinion one horse could pull the plow, but it took 12 bulls and 5 Arabs to work each plow. Two Arabs handled the machine, two Arabs beat the bulls, and the 5th Arab leads the mule which is the guide for the team. I should think that they move about a half-mile an hour. It rained all day, and the scout cars, with no tops and no raincoats, were very cold. I only stopped ten minutes every two hours, and twenty minutes for lunch, but owing to the wet condition of the roads, we only reached Constantine, about 250 miles, at night. I had the men put up in a moving picture theater and demanded of and secured from the British a room for myself and Lieutenant Stiller in the hotel which has run by the British line of communications. We left next morning at 7:30, still raining, and reached the British 1st Army Headquarters at Ain Seymour, called by the British, "Janes' Ass", at 11:45. General Anderson was not in, but I talked to his Chief of Staff, who provided me with a map of the British Theater, and also gave me lunch. I left there at 1:00 o'clock and reached Souk-el-Khemis, the headquarters of the British 5th Army Corps, commanded by Lt. General Alfrey. The General was not in, but while I was waiting for him, General Oliver came in. I accompanied Oliver to his Command Post, which is about half-way between Souk-el-Khemis and Beja. During the preceding night Oliver had quite a bad time, which was due, in my opinion, to his failure to be forward, and also to very bad behavior of one of his officers. As a result of this, we had unnecessary losses in materiel. The drive on this day was along the top of high mountains from the vicinity of Souk-Arhs for about a hundred miles. This is a terrifically winding road and in a bad state of repair. There were some English engineers in small groups working on it in what appeared to me an archaic method. They were supplied with tack hammers with -52- which to break up the stones, wheelbarrows in which to move them, and wooden tampers to tamp the stones into the ruts. The stones came out almost as fast as they were put in. After passing over this ridge of mountains, we descended at a place called Ghard[b]imaou into a tremendous valley which reaches completely to Bizerte. This is very rich farming land and intensively cultivated. The Arabs here are lower--if this is possible--than the Arabs in Morocco. Most of their dwellings look like manure piles, and I believe the are. They have no chimneys, and the smoke oozes out through the straw. In these dwellings they take their cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats, and apparently spend a happy night together. These Arabs do not wear beards but most of them have ferocious mustaches like those adorning moving picture pirates. The women are not veiled which is unfortunate because it certainly destroys any illusions as to the beauty of Arabian women. For reasons which I do not know, there is a tremendous percentage of cock-eyed people. Whether they jab each others eyes out or whether the women for centuries have been veiled, producing these crossed eyes, is a question which should be investigated. I found out from Oliver that the only American troops still in action were at a place called Medjez-el-Bab, about 50 miles to the Front, and that Johnny Waters with a battalion of tanks was there. I moved out Friday morning at 7:00 o'clock and stopped to call on the Commanding General of the 78th British Division on the way. I arrived at 8:30 and he was just getting up. He also provided me with a map. At Beja there is one of the finest medieval castles I have ever seen. It is on top of a hill and apparently was the key to a walled-city. Most of the walls have fallen down, but the castle is in a good state of preservation. -53- From Beja to Medjez-el-Bab the road is very open and is continuously attacked by German dive bombers so we had to keep an air guard on in both cars and had the machine guns ready for action, but actually we were not attacked, but the whole roadside is covered with wrecks of trucks and I also noticed on half-track. There were some very large bomb craters close to the road but none on it. I believe that this is deliberate and would therefore conceive that the Boche intend to use the road. As we approached Madjez-el-Bab we could see that there was firing from large caliber guns. The firing was not very heavy. In the town I met a British Captain who had just arrived and did not know where anybody was, except where the French Colonel, in command of two battalions of French infantry and a battalion of field artillery, was located. I found this officer who gave me some incorrect information as to the location of the 1st Guards Brigade, commanded by General Copeland-Griffith, and consisting of one battalion of the Coldstreams, and one of the Grenadiers. The Third Battalion was absent as it had been wiped out by the Germans some day before. This Battalion, I believe it was Coldstream, put up an excellent fight but were run over by German medium tanks. When the tanks came at them, the men got in their slit trenches, and the Germans then ran up and down lengthwise and squashed them in the trenches. They left only 129 men out of 900. While I was in the town none of the shells struck very close. One came near enough to hear the whistle of the fragments, but I did not see any strike. While looking for the Guards Brigade General, I ran into Johnny Waters in his peep, who was just going to the Brigadier to point out to him the position of the guns shelling the town. He had pointed this position out to an English battery, but the battery commander said that he was unable to fire on the enemy until he had orders from the brigade artillery officer. As a result of this meticulous attention to -54- details, the shelling went on for 21/2 hours without any kind of battery opposition. When the British did open fire, they silenced the Germans' guns. The Brigade Headquarters was in a shed, in a French farm. When I came in the Brigadier said that as soon as he had found out what I wanted to bother him about we could talk. I told him that I did not want to bother him about anything, which cheered him up a great deal. He was trembling all over. He told me this was due to fatigue. From the smell of his breath I could see that it was due to something else. The position he was occupying was very difficult to maintain with his inadequate troops, and, in fact, his left flank was completely in the air, and he believed, at the time, that the Germans were behind him. Afterwards I heard that this was a mistake. I then went out and inspected the front line which consisted of 18 of our medium tanks arranged on the reverse slope of a hill with turret defilade. This was a total wrong use of tanks, and was only justified by the fact that the British had no other guns. These guns covered a possible German advance at from 1,000 to 3,000 yards. On the previous day, some of these medium takns, which were from the 2nd Armored Division, had succeed in destroying 6 German Mark IV tanks without loss to themselves. I also inspected Johnny Water's battalion which had left 18 tanks out of 57, and two of his three captains had been killed. He himself had a bullet hole through his clothes, the bullet having stuck in his web belt. It was probably a ricochet. He looked very well, and matured, and had much more self-confidence than I had seen him display, although he has always had confidence. I was very much pleased with his attitude and also the behavior of the men, who were very glad to see me. They stated that I was the only General Officer they had ever seen in the twenty-four days they were at the Front. I think this is true, and it is a sad commentary on our idea of leadership. It looked to me as if Johnny and his tanks were very apt to be captured so we discussed means by which we could get out, at the same time covering the withdrawal of the -55- Grenadier Guard Battalion on his right. At this writing, I do not know whether he had to get out, or whether he was able to if the necessity arose. I left the Front at 3:30 and stopped at Oliver's headquarters where he gave me the list of his losses in materiel, which were excessive, although in personnel the losses were not bad. I then stopped at the British Corps Headquarters where I was informed that General Eisenhower wished my immediate return, so I started back and arrived at Souk-el-Arhs[Ahras] about 9 o'clock. Driving over the mountains in the dark without lights was very slow and quite dangerous. It is of interest to note here that the presence of Arabs and their flocks and herds on the road certainly reduce the rate of march/of our convoys 10 or 15 per cent, and also in wet weather makes the roads unnecessarily slippery due to the amount of manure. The Arab custom of staying in the middle of the streets of all villages reduces the speed of motor transportation another 10 percent. If this road is to be used to it maximum, both these practices will have to be stopped. I left Souk-el-Arhs Sunday morning at 5:45 and reached Alger at 7:30 p.m., a distance of approximately 300 miles. The total distance for the trip amounted to 1,019 miles. General Eisenhower and General Clark were very much interested in my account of the action as I had seen it, and we discussed questions until well after midnight. I also spent the night with General Eisenhower and Clark and intended to leave for Casablanca at 2:00 o'clock in a B-25 Bomber which could have made the trip in 31/2 hours. Unfortunately, the telephone as usual failed to work, and at 2:00 o'clock no bomber was available. I secured a transport plane and left at 3:15. The air officers advised me not to try to fly through, but I was nervous about being away so long and intended chancing it, although I knew I would arrive after dark and might get shot down by my own -56- anti-aircraft. The question of being shot down began to worry me more and more as darkness approached, and when I found that our radio in the plane would not work, I was very depressed. However, it was then too late to turn back. We expected to sight Casablanca at 7:21. At 7:15, we struck a terrific rain and wind storm and could see nothing at all. This had the advantage of preventing the anti-aircraft from seeing us. It was violently rough, and we had to use our safety belts. After about 30 minutes, we spotted the field and dropped a recognition flare on which the field was lighted up promptly, but before we could land, it rained so hard that we could not see the field. We circled over the city for about an hour and finally came to the decision that when the gasoline began to run short, we would try and make a belly landing on any piece of ground we could find, or if we could not see the ground -- which was the case most of the time -- we would have to jump. Fortunately, about 8:20, the rain let up for a minute and the pilot practically dived into the field through a hole in the clouds. He made a perfect landing. I believe that this was probably the most dangerous part of the trip which was not devoid of excitement. The officer flying the plane was Wilfred C. Reiss, 1st Lieutenant, Air Corps, from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plane belonged to one of the Carrier Groups. I took the two aviators to the house and gave them dinner and kept them all night. I gave the men some money for a hot dinner. I am also writing a letter of commendation concerning them. -57- December 10, 1942 Left Algiers 0840, arrived Constantine 1930. It was the most curving, hilly and sloppy road I ever traversed. In places it is like the road we used to take over the mountains in the desert. Constantine was built by Romans. December 11, 1942 Left Constantine at 0730, road worse, and more mountains and very sloppy in places. Stopped at Ain Seymour to see General Anderson, First British Army; then at Suk El Khemis to see Lieutenant General G.W. ALLFREY [Alfrey], Commanding Fifth British Corps. Neither in, but Alfrey came to Beja to see me after supper. Col. L. B. Oliver had disaster everywhere. Colonel J.R. McGinnis got cold feet, took long road and lost nearly all tanks and half-tracks. December 12, 1942 Went to front through BE[A]JA, then along 20 miles of open road strewn with wrecks of vehicles dived bombed by Nazis. Several large craters near road at Menlis El Bab. The Bosches were shelling lightly. Met John Waters on road while looking for Heaquarters First Guards. One battalion Coldstream, one of Grenadier. The British brigadier was badly scared. Had long talk with John, who has done well, and took his picture. He has bullet hole in coat. Inspected front line, found M4 tanks from 2d Division being used on front line like Anti-tank guns. It is not able to be held with present garrison. Heard Ike wanted me back so started at 04:30 p.m. Spent night at Souk el Arb[r]a December 13, 1942 Started at 05:45, reached Algiers 1900. Ike and Clark were in conference as to what to do. Neither had been to the front, so showed great lack of decision. They are on way out, I think. Have no knowledge -58- December 13, 1942 (cont'd) of men of war. Too damned slick, especially Clark. December 14, 1942 Left Algiers at 1515 via Transport. Decided to fly to Casa. This was a mistake as we could not arrive before 1945. About 20 minutes out, struck a vicious storm of wind and rain, no visibility. Dropped flares but could not locate field. Decided to circle until gas ran out and then try a belly landing if we could see the ground, or falling that, to jump. At 2030 saw field through hole in clouds and dived in, making perfect landing. I think this was the most dangerous experience I have had in this war. Again has God saved me for something? December 15, 1942 Worked in office. Awful weather, rain and a few flakes of snow. Kenner and Wilbur were promoted while I was away. Am delighted. Chief of farmers union called at 1500 to thank me for 152,000 gallons of gas I issued for farming. At 1600 young Poussier took Keyes and me to a rug shop where I bought Xmas presents for Bea and the girls. December 16, 1942 Inspected docks. Phosphate dock in fine shape. Command dock not so good but effort is being made to clear it up. December 17, 1942 Inspected all Field and Anti-air artillery camps and positions in Casa area. Left at 1215 via B-25 for Oudja to report to Clark. Arrived 1415. Ike much excited by rumors that Nogues is doing me. These rumors come from unfounded stories from OWI 1 and OSS 2 agents trying to make character. It makes me mad to be subjected to criticism based on nothing. 1. Office of War Information 2. Office of Strategic Servies -59- December 17, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Clark says that there will be a push on the 24th. I feel that this is most unwise, as, unless things have changed at front, there is not enough force on our side to make a go of it. Nous Verrons? Gen [Col.] Oliver is in trouble over his mad march - he should be. I would have relieved him. December 18, 1942 Went to a tea drinking with the Pasha of Casa at 1045. Quite a crowd. Cakes and mint too. One cake was nice, the other, said to be made with camel cheese, was, I think, camel dung. They had an Arab orchestra that played numerous medieval stringed instruments and sang in falsetto voices. Some of the music sounded to me like Christmas Carols. Mr. Rusell, American Consul, called with British Consul. Then I had Mr. King, a vice consul, in. He is queer but well-posted. Then Mr. Childs, Chargee from Tangier, and Colonel Eddy called to arrange for my visit with General Orgaz. Childs is an utter fool and dangerous, as he repeats rumors as facts. Beedle Smith 1 phoned me to take over Radio Morocco. I did. December 19, 1942 Went to Rabat on the invitation of the Sultan to attend the celebration of the Fete des Moutons. I had an escort of a company of scout cars and a guard of honor of a company of tanks and a battery of 105 mm self-propelled. I took Nogues with me in a reconnaissance car. The show of power had a good effect. I called on the Sultan who insisted on talking to me for quite a while. I also saw two new Caids installed. Later we saw the ceremony of 1. Maj Gen W.B. Smith (Beedle) -60- December 19, 1942 (cont'd p.2) Homage (described in typed account) and finally a sort of Fiesta. There were some really beautiful examples of Arab horses. General M. S.[C] Eddy reported in the evening with some letters and clippings for me. I read them until 0115. December 20,1942 Held a joint American-French parade at Rabat. Our troops made a fine impression; although they do not march as well as the French, they give an impression of more power. Our armor was especially impressive. The French had a number of new Renault tanks which they had kept hidden while the Germans were here. I am convinced of the loyalty of the French and only wish others in high places would be less impressed by half baked rumors from irresponsible persons. I am getting more and more convinced that fine staff officers are not necessarily good commanders. I went over and talked to the Grand Vizier and other leading Arabs. They seemed much pleased. Driving back after the ceremony I had a real ovation from both the French and Arabs, who cheered and applauded and waved their hats, and even a veiled lady waved at me, which is contrary to the rules. I hope Allah did not see her. Poussier got me a very nice over-and-under 12-gauge. Am going to a Diffa with the Pasha of Casa at noon. Muller has asked to go back to the States 1. I guess he feels I have no future - I hope I fool him. Sometimes I get awfully discouraged. I must lack something or all these lesser men would not pass me. But the race is not over - not by several years. 1. This was probably for family reasons. He was one of the most loyal, and soon returned to stay to the end. BPP -61- December 21, 1942 Went to a Diffa with the Pasha of Casa: pigeon pie, sheep, turkey, honey stew, chicken, kus-kus, tea, coffee, cake, a regular gorge. December 22, 1942 Had all the General officers for lunch. Later told them what I had learned of German methods at the front; then talked to them about their duties in training junior officers in battle leadership and the need of a fighting spirit. Decorated Harmon and Truscott with D.S.M, Semmes with his third D.S.C, also two lieutenants, one corporal, two privates with D.S.C. and Colonel de Rohan with Silver Star. I had recommended him for D.S.C but was turned down. The Pasha of Safi called to try to get me committed on a free Arab state in Morocco, to include S.M. (Sa Majeste), after the war. I sweet-talked him but said nothing. Kenner went to Allied Force Headquarters. I was sorry to lose him, but it was to his interest to go. December 23, 1942 Inspected docks which are in really fine shape. Flew to Marrakech, was met by Generals Nogues, Martin 1 and large staff. There was a regiment of native infantry and a band and the Pasha was also present. Drove through crowded streets to Residence, which is in an Arab place 1,000 years old. The view from the roof is fine. The city of 200,000 is wholly native. A platoon of the Foreign Legion met me at the palace, white caps, red epaulets with green tops. Fine looking soldiers - one boy on guard at door is the handsomest man I ever saw. Went to lunch with General Martin in a palace garden dating from 700. 1. Gen Henri Martin (Fr) Cmdr French Troops in Marrakech -62- December 23, 1942 (cont'd) The palace was restored by a reform movement a hundred years ago and a new house was built for the Commanding General. The rest of the palace is now a mosque. Walked through market with an escort of native police, the Grand Vizier to the Sultan (a negro), and one of the Pasha's sons. Markets have wonderful smells and the streets they occupy are roofed over with reeds. The booths are about 10 by 5 feet and very dark, but the work done in them is fine. The head man of each guild met us and was introduced. We went to a college dating from 700 and met the faculty. Had a Diffa with the Pasha in his palace, which is new, about 40 years old, and both huge and handsome. After a ten course meal we had dancing men and women. The men do a sort of polka, the women, all very much dressed, do a sort of bad hula accompanied by a man with a simple stringed fiddle. The Pasha gave me three really museum piece Arab muskets. A heathen tried to put me to bed, but I got rid of him. Madam Nogues warned me the Boches may come tonight. December 24, 1942 At 4:30 PM G-3 Allied Headquarters called up and said that something very serious had happened at Algiers. "Alert your command." It has something to do with Backbone 1. I called in Williams 2 for AA, Harmon and Gaffey 3, also phoned to Anderson. Put on extra guards at gas and ammunition dumps and notified Admiral Hall. It is now 1900. At 2000 had phone call that Darlan had been shot. General Gaffey had already guessed it. Went to dinner with Mr. Russel and left early. Had an air alert at 0130 but nothing came of it. 1. 'Backbone' (Opr against Spanish Morrocco) 2. Co' J.J.B. Williams Aux Officer WTF 3. Brig Gen H J Gaffey -63- December 25, 1942 Inspected harbor. Went to church, gave candy to a little half- French girl and boy. Inspected all camps of Second Armored. Men were very glad to see me. General McGee 1 and General Reybold 2 came to inspect. Staying at house. December 26, 1942 Inspected all new units of 3rd and 9th Division and 91st Reconnaissance Battalion. Sent for several Colonels of station troops and gave them hell. Also complimented Colonel of 175th Engineers. Generals Reybold and McGee much impressed with local set-up. December 27, 1942 Woke up with terrible sore throat. Went shooting, saw nothing, came home and went to bed. December 28, 1942 Stayed in bed all day. December 29, 1942 Got up at 11:30, came to office, saw British Brigadier about "Symbol"3. Lunch at Michelier's, went to bed, got letter. December 30, 1942 Nothing. Talked to Consul Mayer 4 and Culbert about Childs. Nothing plus. December 31, 1942 I was waked at 0350 by bomb explosions and immediately got on the roof. The anti-air was really lovely to watch. I sent Jenson and Gaffey to town to report progress. Also called Lyautey, Fedhala and Rabat 1. Maj Gen J.C. McGee (Med. Dept) 2. " " Eugene Reybold (Chief of Engr. USA) 3. Symbol - Code name for visit of President & P.M. 4. -64- December 31, 1942 (cont'd) but they were not attacked. Twice four-motored ships came right across the house at about 2,000 feet, and though completely silhouetted [the anti-aircraft] by [clouds] paid no attention. One was hit, I think. The raid kept up until after 6 oclock, three bombs hitting about a half a mile north of us near an AA Battery. One cut the railroad at the harbor, some hit [in the] Medi[a]na and killed 70 Arabs and wounded 11 (92 final score). 11 soldiers were also wounded, but not seriously. Many of these were hit by fragments of AA. I inspected the men and found that they took it very calmly. Nothing of importance was hit. One of our transports is aground on the reef by the lighthouse, El Hank. I think she will be a total loss. We may also lose the crew. In a way the air raid is a help, as GHQ has been taking away our planes and AA and this will, I hope, stop it. General Nogues came by appointment at 0900 to tell me what had happened at Algiers. Darlan was killed by a De Gaullist, and Giraud, Nogues and two others were also to be murdered. The 14 men in the plot had been suspected by Darlan and arrested but Ike had had them released. 13 of them are arrested again. De Gaulle 1 wrote Giraud that he would come in provided he succeeded Darlan, and that Giraud could have the army. Giraud told him he did not have time to talk nonsense. The Count of Paris also went to Algiers hoping to be selected but got nothing. Nogues thinks that the British [in Tunisia] cannot attack before March or April.. I fear he is right. Ike is taking 147 H[V]F s [HVF's (High Velocity Fuse's)] and SP [Self Propelled] 75's, also more AA. The raid may save the latter. It hailed a little today and is quite cold. January 1, 1943 Nothing. 1. Gen. Charles de Gaulle -65- January 2, 1943 Inspected bombed area of Arab town. Wrote letters to Sultan and Pasha expressing regret. Gave Pasha 100,000 francs for families of dead (85 to date). Pasha called to thank me and will publish my letter to him in Arab paper, also in French. The killing of the Arabs has made them more than ever on our side. Some of the incendiary bombs dropped by the Germans had been sabotaged so they would not go off. Nogues is much excited over my visit to Orgaz. I will see him tomorrow and calm him down. January 3, 1943 Went shooting in the rain but had no sport. Nogues called to urge me not to visit Gen Orgaz 1. I went to see him and told him I shall make visit, but that it is up to him to prevent bad results. He is afraid, and so is the Sultan, that the Arabs might get worried about some Spanish-American coup. I suggested that we take a couple of French Officers with me. He said Colonel Guillaume and his Chief of Staff. Colonel Guillaume is in charge of native affairs. Stayed in Residency for night. January 4, 1943 Met General Orgaz at border at 12:05. He looked so much like Mrs. Shorb (Aunt Lubby), moustache and all, that I almost kissed him. We had a very pleasant talk and a nice laugh. The Spanish infantry in the Guard of Honor at LARACHE were the best looking and the best drilled troops I have ever seen. Their weapons were out of date. In passing in review they [a] one of left shoulder and swing the right hand as high as the face. The field music and band both execute an exaggerated eyes right while playing, which is very effective. Gave General Orgaz my dagger whip. I think he would not do more than put up a "combat d'honneur". 1. Commanding General, Spanish Morocco -66- January 5, 1943 Spent the night with Anderson at Rabat. Left at 0800 to pick up Harmon and go to Meknes to look up a camp site for the Second Armored. We found two suitable places and then went to Volubilis. This was a Roman City founded in 42 B.C. and was the Capital of the Roman Province of West Africa, which was triangle made by Tangiers, Volubilis and Salle. Salle, by the way, was called originally Salle de Colonia. The ruins are very impressive and the part so far excavated (about one quarter) is quite well preserved. Near by is the Arab town of Moulay Idriss, named or rather renamed after the first Arab conqueror. It was of interest to note what these two towns tipify. The Roman, a monument to a great people who rose, became great, became too rich, and fell. The other, a town which has not changed for better or worse in 2,000 years. Harmon and I could not but think that we, the modern equivalent of a Legate, were walking the very streets where our predecessors had walked in shining brass 2,000 years ago. The next battle in Tunisia will be on the field of Zama. January 6, 1943 General Devers 1, Brooks 2, etc. arrived at 1145. We showed them the troops and port here then flew to Rabat and inspected the 3rd and 2d Divisions, then flew over Port Lyautey to see the battlefields there, where the tank tracks are still visible, and then back to Casa. Jake, who has at last heard a gun go off in anger, talked in a big way till 1201 the 7th. He now has become a great strategical expert, but he believes everything he is told until someone tells him different. Gruenther here. Warned unit commanders about discipline. 1. Maj. Gen. J. L. Devers (space) 2. MAJ Gen E.I.F. BROOKS -67- January 7, 1943 Jake spent morning at office talking mostly to me and some to the staff. We had a large lunch for him with the Glaoui, Pasha of Casa, Nogues, Michelier, Martin etc. Nogues had Martin bring me a saber and a very old dagger. I gave the Glaoui a carbine with: "To the Pasha of Maryakech from his friend General Patton" on a silver plate on the side. Jake left at 1400 for UK. January 8, 1943 Everett Hughes 1 arrived this PM. I took him all around and he was most interested and complimentary. We had a long talk about the glamour boys. He fears that the senior partner is on his way out due to the knife work of the other, concerning whom he has the same ideas as I have. According to Everett the General Staff at Headquarters is purely theoretical and never inspects anything, the British are incompetent, the French mad, and no one commands anything. Devers had same idea. Wilson is nuts. January 9, 1943 Geoff and I inspected the ANFA [Anpha] area in connection with "Symbol." Everything is O.K. except that no arrangement had been made to take the French in. Gruenther is agreed with us that this should be done, but says that F.D.R. and the P.M. both consider this as a conquered country -- which it is not. The French have been told nothing and when they find out, as they will, it is going to take a hell of a lot of talk to restore their confidence. This is too bad and so terribly foolish. The British are pulling hell out of our leg and no one knows it. I believe they want to discredit the French with the Arabs so that after this war they can "acquire" French West and North Africa. The tragedy to me is that we will let them do it. 1. MAJ Gen E.S. Hughes [Space] -68- January 10, 1943 (Sunday) Went to Communion, very high, by an Army Chaplain. General Clark arrived at noon. I met him and had a guard of honor. In the PM. I took him on inspection of all local troops and installations. He was not in the least interested. His whole mind is on Clark. We went to the house and for one hour he spent his time cutting Ike's throat. And Ike, poor fool, sent him here. Of course Clark came so that if, as is most likely, the new attack fails, he can crawl out from under and land it on Fredendall. Kenner and Snyder 1 came and are at house. Kenner and I talked till 1:00 AM. He too feels that Ike is not commanding and that Clark is an s.o.b. It is most discouraging. January 11, 1943 Went to Lyautey to inspect 9th Division. Was most favorably impressed with Eddy and his men, also with Lt. Colonel Smith, 2 who has done a swell job with the ammunition and gas dumps. The spectacle of an Army Commander and his Chief of Staff acting as strikers to "Symbol" is both amusing and hard on the digestion. January 12, 1943 We had a display of all types of weapons and transportation for the Sultan. Colonel Williams 3 arranged it and did a swell job. We called for the Sultan at his Casablanca palace and drove to the field with a light tank company for escort. There I had the Sultan get in my armored car. He insisted that I sit beside him. This is the first time that a Sultan has ever let any foreigner ride with him. I explained things in French and when I got to the laundry truck I could not remember the word in French. The Sultan saw my trouble and said in English, "You mean laundry". 1. [Space] MAJ Gen H.Me Snyder 2. " Lt. Col. S. E. Smith. 3. Col. J.J.B. Williams, Commanding the artillery WTF -69- January 12, 1943 (cont'd p.2) It was quite amusing. We then inspected the airfield and he was very much interested, especially in a Fortress which had been in 15 attacks and shot down 6 Huns. Next we inspected the harbor and Admiral Hall took us on the destroyer Wainwright. The Grand Vizier, who is 92, could not climb all the ladders so I stayed with him and got him a chair. We are very thick. We took the Sultan back to his palace. At least 50,000 people crowded the streets to cheer him. Since Clark had not had time to come to the show, the Sultan could not ask him to lunch. When Clark heard this he was childlishly provoked. Kenner, Snyder, Keyes and I were really shocked at his attitude. At noon I was told that Clark was going to put American troops at El Hank port to see that guns there manned by French did not fire on An[p]fha. I went to see him and argued him out of the idea. I had to state that if it were done I would request to be relieved. It would have been the crowning insult to the French and would have given the Nazis a wonderful propaganda weapon and roused the Arabs. We put a Battery of 6-105's to cover El Hank. I gave them smoke and [H.E.] high explosive and an ostensible mission of firing at subs. Had all local commanders in for a second time for talk on discipline. Inspected Guard Battalion at Anfha. January 13, 1943 We lunched with Sa Majeste at 1330. First Nogues and I went to the audience room and I began by talking to his Majesty through the Protocol. After a few words S.M. cut out the Protocol and we talked direct in French. Dejeuner was French and lasted three hours during which I talked French incessantly to either S.M. or the Prince; -70- January 13, 1943 (cont'd p.2) the latter told me that when he is Sultan I am to be his Grand Vizier and we will go everywhere in a Tank. After lunch we went to a large pavillion made of Fresco tile and carved wood with bronze railings and had coffee. Then we walked through a double line of Black Guard at Present Arms to the Pavillion of Joy, which is white marble. Inside there are modern offices and an Arabic room of gray marble and stucco. Here we had a native orchestra and ten different sorts of cakes and candies. These were on silver trays with silver conical covers -- all made in England. There was also mint tea. At the end of this S.M. decorated me with the Grand Cross; Keyes, Wilbur, Snyder and Wilson with Grand Officer and Gay and Co[n]nard 1 with Companion. January 14, 1943 Told Gar Davidson 2 to get a bridge over Sebu River at Lyautey so we can use Second Armored Division on West Push. Asked to send officers to Eighth Army to study removal of mines. Asked for "Y" [*2*] information [*(INTERCEPT INFO)*] on Nazi long range bombers, also for radar information from Gibralter. Clark left with Aide. Called on General G. C. Marshall and asked him to dinner. Inspected Anfha Hotel and Guard Battalion. F.D.R. arrived by plane, met only by Secret Service. General Marshall came to dinner. Never asked a question and talked steadily about South Pacific. At dinner he got message to dine same night with "A number 1," 3 so left at 8:10. 1. Col A.B. CONARD 2. Brigadier General Gar Davidson Engineer officer WTF 3. The President of U.S.A. -71- January 15, 1943 Ike and Butcher 1 arrived at 11:30. I took them to Anfa and met Admiral King 2 who, when off duty, is most affable. General Marshall asked me to have himself, King, Sir John Dill, and Mountbatten to dinner. All came but Marshall. I also had Summervell and Wedemeyer. We had a most interesting time and Lord Louis stayed late, talking combined operations. He is charming but not impressive. I think he got more from us than we got from him. After I took him to hotel, Ike asked me to take him back to house and he and I talked till 0130. He and Clark are at outs and he thinks his throat is about to be cut. Ike was his old self and listened. I told him he had to go "to the front". He feels that he cannot, due to politics, said he had suggested to Gen. Marshall that I be made Deputy Commanding General AFHQ and run the war while he runs the politics. Keyes will get a Corps. I doubt if it comes out and am not sure I want job. January 16, 1943 Ike pinned second DSM on me at plane and repeated ideas on my being Deputy Commanding General. Keyes and I inspected A-1's plane. Called on General Marshall who told me to see A-1 about Nogues and Sutlan. Called at 1400 and saw Hopkins 3 and A-1 and two sons for one and one half hours. A-1 most affable and interested. We got on fine. Taking Nogues to see him at noon tomorrow. Sir Dudley Pound 4 and General Lord Brooke, General Marshall and Aide, Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy 5, came to dinner. I walked home with Gen. 1. [Lt. Col.] Commander Butcher USNR, a.d.c. to Gen. Eisenhower 2. E. J. King (Admiral U.S.N.) 3. Harry Hopkins, Confidante of President Roosevelt 4. First Sea Lord, [Britain] of British Admiralty 5. Lt.Col. Frank McCarthy, Sec'y. -72- Marshall and we got lost due to a new fence. Gerow (1) is coming too. Brooke is nothing but a clerk. Pound slept most of the time. The more I see of the so-called great the less the impress me -- I am better. January 17, 1943 Went to church. Nogues arrived at 1135. Wilbur and I took him to see A-1 and we all talked for about one and one-quarter hours, then went to see B-1. B-1(2) took Nogues off by himself and later called us in. B-1 speaks the worst French I have ever heard, his eyes run, and he is not at all impressive. Nogues said he would much rather play with U.S. as B-1 wanted the whole world run his way. Clark had Giraud at house for lunch with Nogues et al. I hate lunch. Giraud is an old type Gaul with blue eyes and limited brains. Admiral Cunningham (3) is to stay with me. Clark will be there tonight-- I am fed up. Clark, Ed Hull and Gailey (4) came to dinner. January 18, 1943 We had special lunch for General Marshall and General Giraud, Clark, Keyes, Wilbur and myself. It was most interesting and I think did produce good results. General Marshall was very well pleased and said so. I saw Clark off at plane. At 1600 went to Anfa to see Guard Mount. I was walking when Elliot Roosevelt called me to ride in car (jeep) with A-1. Many pictures were taken. A-1 was very affable. When I took him home, the P.M. holed me and I told him I would get him for dinner. Two Scotland Yard men asked if they could guard the house-- they did. For dinner we had the P.M., Hopkins, General Marshall, Admiral Cunningham, Commander Thompson (A.D.C. to PM). General Marshall 1. L. T. Gerow (Maj Gen U.S.A.) 2. Hon. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain 3. Adm. Sir Andrew Cunningham, Commanding Naval Forces in Mediterranean 4. Brig Gen J.E. Hull Col C.K. Gailey -73- January 18, 1943 (cont'd p.2) made me talk to the P.M. and we got on well. He strikes me as cunning rather than brilliant but with great tenacity and an absolute introvert [*?*]. He is easily flattered -- all of them are. Hopkins is very clever and intuitive -- like a Pilot Fish for a shark. He did not drink excessively and smoked my last three good cigars. The putting of me so obviously with the P.M. may have some meaning. Hopkins asked me how I would like to be an Ambassador. I said I would resign if I got such a job. He said I had shown such ability that they needed me. I still said I would resign and go fishing rather than take such a job. About 1500 Sgt. Hopkins (Harry's son) reported. I sent him to see his Pa. January 19, 1943 Saw General Marshall at 0800. He was very complimentary about lunch and also about appearance of command. Took Hopkins and Elliott Roosevelt shopping. F.D.R., Admiral Cooke, 1 Generals Wedemeyer and Hull, Captain McCrae[y] (Naval Aid), self, Keyes, Wilbur and Gay had dinner at our house, very informal. They stayed till 11:30 P.M. Then F.D.R. talked to me in car while P.M. waited, for about 30 minutes. He really appeared as a great Statesman. January 20, 1943 F.D.R. wanted to visit harbor but Secret Service would not let him. They are a bunch of cheap detectives always smelling of drink. Saw Hull, Wedemeyer and Sir John Dill at Hotel at breakfast. A new plan is being concocted. The chief idea seems to get a new staff -- there are too many now. Mountbatten, Captain Churchill 2 and a Brigadier came 1. Rear Adm. C.M. Cooke USN 2. Son of the P.M. -74- January 20, 1943 (cont'd p.2) to lunch. In the morning Lord Louis decorated one of our men who had been on August raid. General Marshall, Andrews 1, Clark for dinner. Andrews will command in UK. General Marshall gave monologue for two hours -- Clark very quiet. January 21, 1943 Rode to Lyautey with Mr. Hopkins. He is extremely intelligent and very well informed. To my surprise he is quite war-like and is in favor of discipline. When we saw all the wounded and decorated men he called my attention to the similarity of the set of the mouth. I had known this for years but was surprised that he did. Hopkins, Clark, F.D.R. and I had lunch al fresco. Then we drove to see 9th Division, 60th Combat Team, then to the Kasbah and cemetery. The Pilot fish noted to me that nearly all the men killed were Anglo- Saxon. Clark left and had me ride back with F.D.R. Clark is trying to be nice but it makes my flesh creep to be with him. Coming back we talked history and armor about which he knows a lot. F.D.R. says that in Georgia (Russia) there are Crusaders' Castles intact and that hundreds of suits of armor exist. Then he got on to politics. He said that the only two men who could succeed him if he died were Hopkins and the Vice President and neither of them had any personality. He also discussed the P.M. to his disadvantage. Says India is lost and that Germany and Japan must be destroyed. He is worried about the American Legion after the war, and should be. We passed the 2nd Armored and 3d Division and then watched the 60th [69th] Combat Team. Millions of pictures were take and none for the glory of the troops all for the glory of F.D.R. and for Clark when 1. Maj. Gen. F.M. Andrews, Air Corps. Killed in flight. to Greenland -75- January 21, 1943 (cont'd p.3) he could get a chance. It was very disgusting. Must remember to get Chief Flat Foot Riley 1 when time comes, also F.B.I. needs to be slapped down. The country and army are in a hell of a fix and nothing is being done about it. People speak of Germany and Japan as defeated, and we have never even attacked them with more than a division. Our troops put up a really fine appearance. I have never seen so many troops so well turned out or looking so fit. Will write letter of congratulation to each unit. General Marshall, Averell Harriman 2, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Culbert came to dinner. January 22, 1943 Sir John Dill, Wedemeyer, Hull and McCarthy came to lunch. Harmon and Eddy also there with Keyes, Wilbur, Gay and me. President decorated Wilbur with Medal of Honor at 1230 in garden of his house. Keyes, Harmon and I inspected Command Ship Buloli at 1530. Interesting but too complicated. At 1915 Wilbur and I called for Nogues and took him to Grand Vizier's house at Anfa where we met the Sultan, Prince Imperial and Grand Vizier and Protocol. Wilbur took S.M., Grand Vizier and Protocol to see President at 1940. S.M. had especially asked to see him before Churchill arrived. Crown Prince, Nogues and I arrived at 2000. Churchill was there in a very bad temper. At dinner there were as follows: President, Sultan, Protocol, Patton, Crown Prince, Elliott Roosevelt, Nogues, Hopkins, Murphy, Grand Vizier, Churchill. No wine, only orangejuice and water. Churchill was very rude, the President was great, talking volubly in bad French and 1. Mr. Mike Riley Chief of Secret Service for President 2. Mr. Averill Harriman State Dept -76- January 22, 1943 (con'd p.2) really doing his stuff. After dinner we had pictures and more talk. S.M. gave the President a beautiful gold sheathed dagger in an inlaid box. The President gave S.M. his signed picture in a silver frame. Wilbur came in about 2200, and soon we left. I rode with S.M. and G.V. to house of latter. On way S.M. said "truly your President is a very great man and a true friend of myself and of my people. He shines by comparison with the other one" (P.M.). Later he said "This has been the happiest day of my life and one I shall always remember. I shall be very worried until I hear that the President is safely home". Nogues was delighted that the P.M. was such a boor. I went to bed. January 23, 1943 This morning in my capacity as a Grand Cross, I decorated Admiral King and General Marshall with Grand Crosses and Admiral McIntyre 1 and Captain McCrae[y] with Grand Officer. It seems that there must be a sort of apostolic succession, so I was it. I talked to General Marshall about the Legion of Merit. He told me to see Hopkins about it. I did. Hopkins is quite a man and very understanding. I think he will get the President to remove the stipulation that the President must approve all Legion of Merit awards, certainly in so far as the Army is concerned. This will be a great thing, as at present we have no means of rewarding merit except with the D.S.M. which only applies to great responsibility and not to the good work of juniors. Hopkins is quite a man. The Roosevelt boy who is in the Navy came in drunk and slapped an Admiral on the back and said "How are you you old s.o.b." Hopkins saw it and told the Admiral to send the young Roosevelt to his ship in arrest and confine him there. After lunch, General Marshall, Arnold and I 1. Rear Adm. R. G. McIntrye, the President's personal physician [2.] -77- January 23, 1943 (cont'd p.2) visited the battlefield of Fedhala and inspected the camp of the 175th Engineers and also the air warning set up. Later they came to dinner. The Grand Vizier asked me to get him an interview with Mr. Hopkins, provided that the British did not know about the points discussed, i.e. Future of French and Spanish Morocco, Jews, trade, and immediate help. Wilbur saw DeGaul and found him not helpful. He wants to be the political boss and let Giraud command the troops. January 24, 1943 At 1230 I took General Nogues and Admiral Michelier to call on A-1. We were kept waiting some time by a press conference. When we went in Mr. McCloud, British Minister to Algiers, hung around the door till Captain McCrae[y] pushed him out. A-1 started to talk about DeGaulle and was very frank, when B-1 came in without being asked and hung around, started to leave, and then came back. The whole thing was so patent a fear on the part of the British to leave the French and Americans alone together, that it was laughable. The two Frenchmen saw and commented on it. I hope A-1 did too. The French stayed for lunch and General Giraud came after lunch to call on me and say goodby. I fear he is too much a soldier to run his job as dictator -- at least he wants to fight. We went to a tea at Poussier's. Most of the Arabs were there. I met the new British Consul to Rabat, who began to tell me how to win a war, so I disagreed with him to draw him out but he just got mad. He is a typical State Department fool. January 25, 1943 Admiral King, Cooke, Hall came to dinner and I had a chance to tell how good Hall is, which is true. -78- Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.