GEORGE S. PATTON DIARIES Annotated transcripts Feb. 10-July 31, 1944 (1 of 2)

BOX 3 FOLDER 5

GEO S. PATTON JR

      DIARIES

TYPED (VI)

FEBRUARY 10, 1944-JULY 31, 1944

Volume 6 (corrected by P. Harkins)

FEBRUARY 10 - JULY 31, 1944

[*beginning Volume VI*]
February 10, 1944
Left Peover at 0800.  Reached London at 1245.  Had lunch and went 
to see the tailor.  Hap, Cummings, Odom, Murnane all came to the house 
at 1500 and I was delighted to see them.  Koch, Hammond, Harkins, Maddox 
and Muller will arrive about the 26th, unless something happens.  We all 
went to a musical comedy, which was very poor, and had supper at the 
house afterwards.  The shows here start at about 6:00 o'clock so that 
you can get back for supper at 8:00 o'clock.
February 11, 1944
Brad and I went to Monty's headquarters at 1000.  DeGuingand, Cheif 
of Staff, and the Commanding General of the Second British Army were 
there.  General Quartermaster Staff, Monty, Bradley and myself.  Monty --
who is an actor but not a fool -- made the wise decision to cut out a 
great many gadgets which the British were trying to induce into the 
landing operations, including the rocket boats and some tanks with the 
engines removed, which would have been about as useful as a fifth wheel. 
He also outlined the general plan of campaign and in some things I 
think him too optimistic, in others too cautious.  One division followed 
by the rest of one corps, Third Army, goes in with Bradley.  Possibly 
the two armored divisions via the same route.  These will start in on 
D plus 10, the rest in the Third Army on D plus 25.  It is not a very 
critical job for me but things can develop almost any way at any time. 
One can make his own job.  In Sicily, I was destined to cover the rear 
of the Eighth Army but I did not.  Littlejohn told me that it was 
Brigadier Sugden who said, "Patton is such a thruster that soon he will 
have Monty surrounded."

February 11, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Called on Ike at his house, as he asked me to.  He said that he 
was rather reluctant to bring up the question, but what did I think 
about taking Hughes as Chief of Staff, as Devers had declared Hughes 
surplus.  Ike said he was not making the suggestion due to lack of confidence 
in Gay, but because, in his opinion, Gay does not impress others 
sufficiently, and that he wants to do something for Hughes.  I said that 
I would take Hughes and felt sure Gay would understand.  I had already 
guessed this move and had spoken to General Gay who had, of course, 
stated that he would be very glad to be Deputy.  He is a perfectly unselfish
man.  This will not be too easy for any of us but I doubt if 
it lasts. 
General Kenner had us in for a drink.  He brought two letters, one 
from Bea Jr. and one from Ruth Ellen.  He is now chief medical inspector 
under General Eisenhower.
February 12, 1944
Went to see Bradley in the morning to get a joint note we are writing 
on the question of one extra colonel per division to replace casualties 
among regimental commanders.  Haislip and Irwin suggested it in Ireland 
and I got Bradley to come in, and Ike said that, if Brad and I would 
write a note, he would put it over.  Later saw Ike in his office and 
asked him for General Gar Davidson.  He sent a wire for him to General 
Marshall.  I hope it does not make Jake Devers mad and cause him to 
hold up Harkins and the rest of my staff.  Ike says that Devers is .22 
caliber and I rather concur, but some others are not over .32 caliber 
themselves.  Ike said of me, to me, "You are fundamentally honest on 
the larger issues but are too fanatical in your friendships."  It is a 
good thing that some one is.

February 12, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Drove to Peover in 4 1/2 hours. 
The beachhead south of Rome is apt to be lost.  Monty told us that, 
on the 10th, we had already evacuated 4,000 vehicles.  If we lose that 
beach it will be bad, but so much sloth, or timidity, was shown at the 
start that the thing was doomed.  Only 8 miles in 12 days.  I would have 
been in Rome.  I hope I don't have to go back and straighten things out. 
February 13, 1944 
Gay, Codman, Cummings, Murnane, Odom and self went to church at 
Peover Chapel.  Codman and I went to lunch with the Leicester-Warrens 
at a most beautiful house and picture gallery, in Knutsford.  General 
Sir William Bromley-Davenport, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, and his 
wife were present.  The Leicester-Warrens are a run-out noble family, 
but must have been hot numbers at one time.  General Sir William Bromley-
Davenport told me that Knutsford means "Canute's Ford" and that King 
Canute crossed some kind of a stream here when he was visiting this part 
of the country around 900. 
There is a great deal of talk about gas warfare from the British, and also 
from some of our own people.  In my opinion the Germans will not use 
it.  As an offensive weapon to win a war gas is O.K., but as a means 
of deferring the losing of a war, its use is foolish. 
February 14, 1944 
Lt. General E. C. A. Schreiber, commanding the Western Defense 
Command, called at 1000.  We had a Military Police Guard of Honor and 
a band from the 360th Service Engineer Regiment, which played the 
ruffles, but not the flourishes.  Walked for 40 minutes and played badminton 
for 45 more.  On going into Peover Chapel yesterday I found a 

February 14, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
pasteboard plaque which states, as I remember, "To the Glory of God and 
the Honor of the Manwaring Family," who supported this Chapel for 800 
years.  The Manwaring Family finally died out in 1924 when the Hall was 
taken over by the John Peel family, who went broke this year.  It is 
now owned by a junk dealer in Manchester. 
February 15, 1944 
Gave a talk to all officers and men of the Third Army now in this 
vicinity.  Notes for talk as follows:  Discipline - smart, best; 
Letters - censorship; Why Fight - honor, joy in battle; Mental Attitude - 
eager, fierce, without fear; Prisoners of War - search---don't trust; 
Dig or Die - hit dirt, shoot; Surrender; Mines - AA and air; Repeat, 
Best Troops; Congratulations.  Think this is a good sequence.  All men 
paid close attention.  Time 25 minutes. 
February 16, 1944 
At 0130 Codman had a telephone call from Commander Butcher for me 
to report to General Eisenhower at once.  Codman said we would start at 
once, but that it would take 4 1/2 to 5 hours.  Butcher then said we should 
report prior to 1200 hours.  We started at 0600 in the pitch dark and 
arrived at 20 Grosvenor Square at 1045.  When I went in Ike said, "I 
am afraid you will have to eat crow again for a little while," and I 
said, "What have I done now?"  He replied, "You may have to take command 
of the beachhead in Italy and straighten things out."  I replied that 
this was not eating crow but a great compliment because I would be willing 
to command anything from a platoon up in order to fight. 
He then gave me a radio from General Alexander to the Combined 
Chiefs of Staff, or the Prime Minister, (I'm not sure which) in which

February 16, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Alexander said in effect that there was no drive in the VI Corps, that 
the British had sustained most of the losses (I doubt this) and, "If 
you cannot send me a thruster like George Patton, I recommend putting a 
British officer in command.  I have already sent a British Major General 
to the Headquarters of the VI Corps to spur them on a little." 
Ike said he would never consent to letting the British have the 
command, but he would loan me for a month, as the only fighting general 
in the army.  He also made certain remarks about Devers, wondering why 
the hell he hadn't gotten into the fight, saying, "As he was doing 
nothing anyway."  Ike and the Prime Minister sent a telegram offering 
to let me go for one month.  This telegram was addressed to Alexander, 
Wilson, Devers, and Clark.  They will consider it and reply.  In the 
meantime one C-54 and B-25 are waiting at the airport in London, 
warmed up, ready to take me to Italy, and I have telephoned for Stiller, 
and Sgt. Meeks, and my fighting equipment.  I told Ike that I was anxious 
to go, but that I must be backed up by him, as otherwise I would have 
my throat cut.  He said he would back me up and would report the whole 
thing to General Marshall by special messenger.  I suppose I am the only 
person in the world who would be elated at a chance to commit personal 
and official suicide, but I am tickled to death and will make a go of it. 
February 17, 1944 
Went to Middlesex Hospital at 0945 to have a spot on my lip treated 
with x-ray.  While there Lt. Colonel Lee, an aide, phoned to say that 
Ike said I could return to Knutsford.  Nothing more.  He did not even 
think it worthwhile to tell me what had happened.  Gaffey reported at 
1245, ready to go as Chief of Staff of the expedition.  I was also going

February 17, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
to take I. D. White as G-3, and Colonel Williams as Artillery Officer. 
I could not take Gay as he has to stay and keep the Third Army in shape. 
Gay came down to see me off and warned me to get rid of the Fifth Army 
staff for fear that they would cut my throat.  He was working on the 
assumption that I was to relieve Clark and take over the whole show. 
This is an excellent example of how much forethought and loyalty he 
has for me.  We were all very sorry that the show was called off --- 
it would have been very risky, but much honor could have been gained. 
No man can live forever.  General A. C. Wedemeyer called at 1400 to see me. 
He told me Truscott is to relieve Lucas in the Italian beachhead.  He 
also told me that when he was in India, he got some clipping about the 
Drew Pearson incident and had written a letter to General Marshall 
praising me.  He sent me a copy of this letter.  He said, that on his 
own initiative, Admiral Mountbatten also wrote General Marshall to the 
same effect. 
February 18, 1944 
Went to see Bradley at 0900 and told him that we should be prepared 
to land the Third Army at Calais if the First Army and the British get 
boxed up, as is highly possible.  The thought had never occurred to him 
but he thought well of it, and said that if it comes off he would trade 
an amphibiously trained division from the First Army with one of mine, 
not so trained.  I feel that there is much merit in the plan, as it 
would disperse the German Reserves and give room for maneuver.  At the 
moment there are 52 German Divisions in Holland, Belgium and France, 
40 of which can oppose us.  I hope the strength of the opposition does not 
bluff us out at the last minute.  I still feel that the British do not 


February 18, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
have their heart in it.  Had a long talk with Butcher yesterday, in 
which he told me that post-war divergence of aim is already causing 
friction between us and the British and is also coloring military 
operations.  Alex is certainly trying to suggest that failure in Italy 
is due to us.  Called on Ike to say goodbye.  He was very cavalier and 
told me of a General Corlett who had captured a Pacific Island in a 
"nearly perfect" maneuver.  (He did not have to fight until after he 
got ashore).  Ike is going to get him for a Corps Commander (XIX Corps). 
I told him that we had also done pretty well in landings.  This made 
him mad.  He has an unfortunate habit of under-rating all Americans who 
come under him and overrating all British and all Americans who have 
served elsewhere.  I wish to God he was more of a soldier and less of a 
politician.  Called on Beadle Smith to bone (bootlick). 
Saw General Hull 1 and we had a long, pleasant talk.  He agrees with 
me that both Clark and Monty are timid and probably more afraid of losing 
a battle that anxious to win one.  He told me that General Marshall said, 
"I wish Patton was commanding at the Beachhead."  He also said that 
Middleton and an unnamed Colonel (probably Rooks) told him that I had 
captured Sicily in spite of Monty, and while I had driven them further 
than they thought men could endure, they would love to fight under me 
any time.  Hull is going to Italy to find out why Rome was not taken. 
Later, there was quite a big air raid, and we could hear the planes and 
machineguns. 
February 19, 1944 
Left for Peover at 0904, having stopped to tell General Lee goodbye. 
About 5 or 6 blocks from Grosvenor Square we came on several blocks in 
1 Brig Gen J.E. HULL, Operations Div USA

February 19, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
which all the glass had been smashed last night.  We also saw some houses 
on side streets that were flat.  It snowed and rained all the way back. 
Went to dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stockdale at Alderly Edge, 
Chesire.  There is not much left of him.  He lost an ear, most of an 
arm, and a shoulder and lung in the last war.  She is really pretty and 
nice.  We have been struck with how few pretty women or girls there are 
in England. 
February 20, 1944 
Called on Mr. R. D. Brown, Chief Engineer, Manchester Ship Canal. 
He is not much. 
February 21, 1944
Worked on a letter of instructions for corps, divisions and 
separate unit commanders. 
February 22, 1944 
The Red Cross had a grand opening of a Red Cross Officer's Club 
in Manchester.  The Lord Mayor of Manchester and several other Mayors 
were present, all with their chains of office on.  Also there was an 
American who knew the Merrills.  Lord Derby was there --- he is very 
old and drooly, with a collar far too big for him, but quite a personality 
just the same.  Lady Leese seemed to be running the show and 
introduced me to everyone from Lord Derby to the cook.  Lord Derby asked 
me to visit him if I ever go to Liverpool. 
Lt. General E. C. A. Schrieber of the Western Defense Command 
asked Gay, Codman and myself to lunch at Chester.  We were met by a 
motorcycle escort and had a guard of honor made up of men not to exceed 
2 months service.  However they are extremely soldierly and well set up. 

February 22, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
The British are better at doing this than we are.  It is one of the few 
advantages over us that I ever admit. 
February 23, 1944 
[*OK.*]
Colonel Myles Brewster, of the Amphibious Training Command, came 
to dinner.  He commanded E Battery at Myer at one time.  He gives me 
the impression that there is a lot of useless fear of pillboxes, mines, 
and wire among the officers at the training center.  The officers doing 
the training have never been in a landing, yet we have many available 
in Africa who have participated in at least two landings.  The trouble 
is theater jealousy.  Devers refused to let any of his officers go as 
observers to Sicily, and never secured any experienced officers from 
there.  We suffer very much from lack of command.  No one is running 
the show.  Certainly Africa, Italy and UK should be under one commander, 
so he could exert pressure where, and as, he chose.  Ike has no conception 
of physical command, as he has never exercised it. 
February 24, 1944 
Played golf for the first time in over 40 years.  Did very badly 
but it is an easy and fairly amusing means of getting exercise. 
February 25, 1944 
Captain Murnane got me two golf sticks and some balls and I practiced 
in a pasture, and did better as he coached me.  Codman, who had not had 
one in his hand since he was eight, hit some good balls.  Fear I am 
bitten by the golf bug. 
February 26, 1944 
Bradley called up to ask if I would come to London on Tuesday to 
discuss what could be done to the new type armored division to improve 

February 26, 1944 (cont'd p.2)
it without really reorganizing it.  General Walker and all Armored
Division Commanders will be present.

When we were in Tunisia last year General McCreery, then Chief of
Staff to Alexander, was loud in his idea that the U.S. Armored Division
should be cut down to more nearly the British model.  General Ward and
some of the 1st Armored people also favored this.  Ike sent General
Harmon up to investigate and make a report.  Harmon and I talked it over
and agreed that the original division was O.K. but should have another
infantry battalion and more reconnaissance.  I wrote General McNair to
the same effect and also wrote Jake Devers.  Apparently no one paid any
attention to us, but changed to a modified British model.  I don't think
the difference is too great, but it is a curious added evidence of the 
mania to trust anyone but Americans.  Some weeks ago, when I was talking to
Spaatz he remarked, "We are paying too high a price for Supreme Commander."
We are, especially when we don't exercise it, and are just pawns.  I
fear that, after we get landed in France we will be boxed in a beachhead,
due to timidity and lack of drive, which is latent in Montgomery.  I
hope I am wrong.

February 27, 1944
Had the Parson for lunch, then lunched with the Leicester-Warrens
at Tabley house.  Lord Edgerton of Totten (?) was there.  He is a portly,
deaf little man, whose property we are using.  Also Major Becke, Chief
Constable, and his wife were there.  They are all real people.  Koch and
Hammond arrived from Africa and were delighted to be here.  Mr. Stockdale
told me that he had never met such loyal and enthusiastic supporters as
my staff.  He knows most of them.


February 28, 1944
Called Bradley to suggest that he have a chart of the two types of
divisions arranged, so that when we are discussing them we can see the 
differences more readily.  He said that he had already thought of doing
that.

February 29, 1944
Left Peover at 0800.  Very cold with a heavy mist, so that for the
first two hours there was not over 100 yards visibility.  Got to meeting
at 1335, five minutes late, found Bradley, Ike, Watson [1] (3d Armored
Division), Gaffey (2d Armored Division), Wood (4th Armored Division),
Oliver (5th Armored Division) and Grow (6th Armored Division), also
Walker, XX Corps, all present.  After a brief discussion it was decided
to leave the 2d and 3d Divisions, which are organized along American
lines, and to correct the other divisions as follows:
1. Add a signal section by utilizing the 15% overhead.
2. To increase organic transportation by 10 21/2-ton trucks,
10 trailers, and 10 peeps.
3. That the proposed new table for artillery headquarters solved
the problem when it was put into effect.
4. To add one quartermaster service company platoon to each
division from those allotted to the Army.  The shortage in
trucks can be made up by allotting quartermaster truck
battalions if and when needed.
General Eisenhower also stated that in so far as possible, anti-aircraft
and anti-tank battalions would be permanently attached to the divisions.
He further suggested that regiments be given names of dead soldiers.

1. Maj Gen Leroy H. Watson

February 29, 1944 (cont'd p. 02)
General Courtney Hodges was also present.  He seemed quite depressed.
Called on Hughes, who has just arrived and is not to be Chief of Staff
of the Army, as his job is to be personal representative of the Commander-
in-Chief.  In other words, his eye.  On the day Hughes went in to report
to General Eisenhower, he met Brigadier General McClure, of the press
relations, just coming out.  Ike told Hughes that McClure had expressed
the opinion that I should not command an army, due to my reputation, and
that Hughes is to investigate.

Devers certainly treated Hughes in a nasty way.  He must be a very'
small caliber man, although he had always been very decent to me and
even lately has released a lot of former Seventh Army officers I have
asked for.  As I was walking home from Hughes' place, there was an air
raid but nothing happened.
March 1, 1944
Called on Mrs. Horace Hutchinson, who is the sister-in-law of my
Godfather, Captain Arthur John Lindsay Hutchinson, now dead. She must
be seventy, but is a very active old lady and goes around in the middle
of the night putting out lights for people who have run off during an
air raid and failed to extinguish their lights.  She says she feels that
she should have a tin hat, but has not been able to get one.  Her husband
was amateur golf champion of England around 1890.

Went to Middlesex hospital about my lip.  Professor Wyndham says
it is coming along fine.  He has treated three British Lt. Generals
for the same thing, and it is always the result of a blond being exposed
to too much sunlight.


March 1, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
I took Mrs. Prismall and Hughes to lunch at Claridges, then we 
went dog hunting and got one to be sent up on approval.  Then I took 
Hughes to the hospital as he has the flu. 
Ike sent for me.  I waited one and one-quarter hours to see him 
but he was busy, so made time with Kay to good effect. 
He told me that while he would not definitely order me to replace 
Gay, he certainly wanted me to do so, as he felt that while Gay was an 
extremely efficient chief of staff, he did not have the presence to 
represent me at other headquarters, nor to take over should I get killed. 
Keyes has always felt the same way.  Of course I was originally selected 
for "Torch" through the direct action of Ike and therefore I owe him a 
good deal.  On the other hand, I have paid my way ever since.  I am 
very reluctant to supersede Gay, but it looks to me and to Hughes, and 
others with whom I have talked, that if I don't, I will be superseded 
myself, so I will have to make the change.  The two people I have in 
mind are either Gaffey or Troy Middleton.  I would prefer Gaffey as I 
know him better, as I had him in the Desert and also in Tunisia.  Of 
course if something should happen to make Keyes available I will take 
him like a shot.  Ike and I dined alone and had a very pleasant time. 
He is drinking too much but is terribly lonely.  I really feel sorry for 
him --- I think that in his heart he knows he is not really commanding 
anything. 
March 2, 1944 
Waited till 1100 to get the dog but he did not come.  While waiting 
I visited Hughes who says he feels I should comply with Ike's views on 
the Chief of Staff.  I also went to see Beedle Smith to keep things

March 2, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
greased, and saw Lee, who is making a fool of himself over the colored 
question.  I fear that what he is doing is going to cause a great deal 
of unnecessary suffering and killing when we get back to the States.
Called on First Army Group to butter up Leven Allen.  After all the 
ass kissing I have to do, no wonder I have a sore lip.  Ike told me he 
had not decided which of us three, Hodges, Bradley or I, should command 
the First Army Group.  Brad will.  Ike's version of the McClure incident 
was quite different from what he told Hughes.  He told me he kicked 
McClure out for being a fool.  Beedle Smith offered McClure to me as 
Chief of Staff.  Oh, God!  I suppose that he did not know what McClure 
had said about me to Ike?
March 3, 1944 
Drove back to Peover leaving London at 1130.  I feel very bad over 
this damn chief of staff business.  I must do it in a way not to hurt 
Gay's feelings for I truly consider him the best chief of staff in 
Europe, Italy, or Africa.  The only two I can think of are Gaffey or 
Middleton.  Gaffey is probably as good, or better, than Gay, but I do not 
know him as well.  Middleton is a brilliant man but I know him very little. 
March 4, 1944
Nothing.
March 5, 1944
Church.  Lunch at Stockdale's.  Had a movie in the evening.  Dog 
arrived, named Punch. [*(Willie)*]
March 6, 1944 
Went for a walk with Punch and got lost --- must have walked six
miles and did a little running too.  Feel fine.  He is extremely cute. 
Had a long talk with Cummings on what to do about Gay.  He advised

In reference to Diary, March 6, 1944, it is of interest to note 
that on April 12, 1945, at Hersfeld (Headquarters, Third Army), 
General Eisenhower complimented very highly the staff of the Third 
Army, stating that they "had not made a single mistake in months and 
that he was amazed and highly pleased with their demonstrated 
efficiency, their self-assurance and poise."
NOTE:  The staff on April 12, 1945, was the same as it was on 
March 6, 1944. 

March 6, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
telling him, so I did.  It was most distasteful.  I really believe I
would retain more self-respect if I resigned, but I am not quite that
big hearted.  Gay was fine --- could not have been better.  I told him
the exact truth, that Ike ordered me to do it.  Leaving for London in
the morning to see a movie of new equipment.  People there don't realize
what a long trip it is from here.

March 7, 1944
The lecture, given by an ordnance colonel who had never heard a gun
go off in anger, was a farce.  He began by telling Ike, Bradley, myself
and a number of others, that we wasted ammunition, didn't understand
tactics, and were generally useless.  Of course it is evident that the
speech had been written to inform people in the United States who had
not been in action; but it was evident that a man, who was in the presence
of people with a reputation of having been in action and who could not
change his speech, was a fool.

MIddleton and I went to see Hughes at the 16th Station Hospital on
Hartley Street.  Mrs. Prismall was there and I asked her to dinner.
Took Middleton home and went to 22 Mount Street.  Gaffey was there, as
I had wired him to meet me and discuss the question of complying with
Ike's order to get a more senior chief of staff than Gay. The two men
I had in mind had been Middleton and Gaffey.  Since Middleton was sent
over by General Marshall to command a Corps, he is out. Gaffey said
that, while he did not wish to give up the 2d Armored Division, he felt
that, since he owed me so much he would do it, if I can get Bradley to
turn him loose, and I think I can.  That will be a good solution because
when Gaffey quit being chief of staff in the Desert he recommended Gay,


March 7, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
and they are therefore good friends.

Mrs. Prismall and I went to supper at Claridges'. --- It was expensive
and bad except for the wine.

March 8, 1944
Middleton and I called on Bradley and we arranged to ask Ike to
cable for a new commander for the 2nd Armored Division.  Our order of
priority being -- 1. Newgarden, 2. Leonard, 3. Prichard, and 4. Brooks
to replace Gaffey.  Middleton will take the VIII Corps and I will get 
all the corps troops now attached to that corps, which has been a house
keeping corps assigned to the Third Army, and then re-assign them to
their proper corps.  When 90th, 79th and 80th Divisions arrive, they
will go to the VIII corps, and when the XII Corps arrives, or perhaps it
may be the IV, I will use it to take up the new arrivals.  I also got 
the 5th and 6th Armored Divisions assigned to the Third Army and put
them in the Corps.

I arranged to call on Ike, with Bradley, to get all of this approved.
I then went to see Lee, and he informed me he had phoned Beedle Smith,
recommending Middleton for my chief of staff, on the alleged grounds
that since General Marshall had great confidence in Middleton, it would
strengthen my position.  I told Lee I was quite able to take care of
myself and that for the future he would not meddle.  He is either a conscientious doer of good deeds or has some ulterior motive.  I am rather
inclined to the latter belief.

I hurried back to see Bradley and asked him to come with me to see
Ike.  I saw Middleton, who said he would prefer a corps.

We went out to Widewing to  see Ike.  He was talking on the phone

March 8, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
and said, "Now, listen, Arthur (Tedder), I am tired of dealing with a
lot of prima donnas. By God, you tell that bunch that if they can't
get together and stop quarreling like children, I will tell the Prime
Minister to get someone else to run this damn war.  I'll quit." This is as near as I can remember.  He talked for some time longer, and repeated
that he would "ask to be relieved and sent home" unless Tedder could get
the British and American Air, and the two Navies, to agree.  I was quite
impressed, as he showed more assurance than I have ever seen him display.
But he should have had the warring factions in and jumped them himself,
and not left it to his Deputy, Tedder.

After he got through, he approved all our requests, including a 15%
overstrength for the Third Army, and told me to stop by and tell Lee to
get the orders out.  However, it is always depressing to me to see how
completely Ike is under the influence of the British.  He even prefers
steel to rubber tracks on tanks because Monty does.

As my car was getting a new pump, I drove down to Chisledon with
Gaffey to visit the 5th Armored Division, General L. F. Oliver.  General
Walker, commanding the II Corps was there, as we Gene Regnier, who
commands a combat command in the 5th Armored Division.  Regnier looked exceptionally dirty in the new type of field jacket, which I told him
never to wear again.

I gave them a few thoughts, and then we inspected the artillery,
which is distinctly bad in that it was distinctly not good.  We ate supper
there.

March 9, 1944
I inspected the units near headquarters.  The uniforms were bad and 


March 9, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
dirty.  There was no attempt to have all the men dress alike.  The men
were very negligent, and the condition of the quarters, kitchens and
latrines was bad.

At 1000 I made a thirty-five minute speech to all the officers and
seemed to get a good result.  Tupper Cole, who commands the other combat
command, as a colonel, was the best officer I have seen in the division.
I get the impression that the Division will fight diligently but not
brilliantly as it lacks finish, class, and polish --- in a word it lacks
a good leader.

Left at 1400 to visit the 6th Armored Division, under General R. C.
Grow, at Morteon-on-Marsh.  I addressed all the officers at 1600.  The
show was very well put on, and had a finish entirely lacking in the
troops of the 5th Division.

Inspected troops till dark and had dinner with division staff and
Lord and Lady Dulverton, who live in the house with Grow.  He is "Wills,"
the British tobacco king.  Grow was utterly bemused by being with a lord
and frequently addressed him just that way.  The effect of titles on even
the most rugged Americans is disgusting.

March 10, 1944
Inspected the rest of 6th Armored Division and found it in superior
shape. I will have General Walker inspect it and take General Oliver
with him to note, as painlessly as possible, the difference.

Reached Peover about 1750 and found that Willie, my new dog, had
been run over by a car and the skin taken off his leg.  He feels very
sorry for himself but is not really hurt at all.


March 11, 1944
Colonel Oscar Solbert [1] and Captain Wallace, son of the Vice President,
arrived to sell me a scheme for evaluating morale by questioning
the enlisted men; some of the questions being, "Do you feel that this
war is worth fighting?"  Another, "Are you ready to fighting the Germans?"
Another, "Are you anxious, willing, or reluctant to fight the Germans?"
I told them that it smelled to me very much of the Russian political
commissars whom Stalin had to remove before he had an army.  It is an
absurd idea and will simply remove the self-confidence of the soldiers.

March 12, 1944
Codman and I went to lunch with the Leicester-Warren's, and at 1330
we invited all to come to a movie.  Mrs. Bromley-Davenport, Jr., an
American from Philadelphia, and Mrs. Becke and another woman come. The
movie was very good.

March 13, 1944
Had lunch at Manchester Midlands Hotel with Sir Eugene Ramsden,
Mr. Stockdale and General Leroy Collins.  I think he is off his nut.
He sticks his head down and rotates his chin, and his eyes are funny.
Codman and Muller were with me.  Ramsden is president of the jute industry
of England, and Mr. Stockdale, under an English title, is really the
general manager.

March 14, 1944
I sent Gay, Harkins, Maddox, and Muller to London to get straightened
out on planning with the First Army Group.  This outfit is not very clever.
They plan too minutely on some things and not minutely enough on others.
They suffer from not having anyone in command.  For example, after the
First Army has captured Saint Nazaire and Nantes, if they do, we are to

1. Changed from Sohlberg by Act of Congress.

March 14, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
take the Brittany peninsula.  I think that, if Nantes falls, the peninsula
falls too, as it is cut off.

I have just read the First Army Group (FUSAG) Plan again.  It says
that the object of "Overloard[1]" is to "secure a lodgement on the Continent
from which further offensive operations can be developed".  The words
"further offensive operations" indicate to me the intention of halting
on a phase line, --- this is clearly wrong.  After we land we must keep
driving, as we did in Sicily.  I am very much afraid this operation is
going to be conducted in a timid manner.  If so, it will not succeed.

March 15, 1944
Erected a flagpole in front of Peover Hall.  General C. D. Palmer,
Chief of Artillery at ETOUSA, spent the night.  He is stupid and opinionated.
He told me that Condor, who fought so well for me with the 5th 
Armored Artillery Group in Tunisia and Sicily, is still a lieutenant
colonel, and I asked him to get Condor promoted.

March 16, 1944
In going over some papers with a view to writing a new Letter of
Instruction on tactics, I found the following, dated August 5, 1943,
Palermo:
"Memorandum:
To              :  Corps, Division, and Separate Unit Commanders.
It has come to my attention that a very small number
of soldiers are going to the hospital on the pretext that they are
nervously incapable of combat.  Such men are cowards and bring discredit
on the army and disgrace to their comrades, whom they heartlessly leave
to endure the dangers of battle while they, themselves, use the hospital
as a means of escape.  You will take measures to see that such cases are
not sent to the hospital but are dealt with in their units.  Those who are

1. Plan of operation for invasion of France in spring of 1944 (June 6, 1944).

March 16, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
not willing to fight will be tried by Court-Martial for cowardice in
the face of the enemy.
/s/G.S. PATTON, JR
Lieut. General, U.S. Army,
Commanding."

This order was gotten out immediately after the first "incident"
at a time when no reports on it existed.  It exactly expresses my
feelings then and now.

The bronze plate which I had put in the British church at Palermo
was made by the Navy out of a broken propeller.  I paid the sailors who
did the job $25.00, which they did not wish to accept, but finally
consented.  The engraving read as follows:

"To the Glory of God

In Memory of the heroic Americans of the Seventh Army and of the
supporting units of the Navy and Air Force who gave their lives for
victory in the Sicilian Campaign, July 10 -- August 17, 1943.  From
their General."

March 17, 1944
I drove to London with Codman to attend a reception given by
General Eisenhower at Claridges.  All the high British and Americans were
there except Field Marshal Lord Brooke and General Montgomery.  Some
people were unkind enough to say that Montgomery was absent, as he could
not bear to be second fiddle.

Sir Andrew Cunningham took special trouble to look me up, also Air
Marshal Conyngham and a lot of others.  General Doolittle was there and
we had a nice talk.  All the military elements of the numerous governments 
in exile were there too.  The pleasure was not worth the long drive
but one had to go.




March 18, 1944
Saw Bradley, Hodges, Joe Collins, and Corlett.  The two latter told 
me a lot about fighting Japanese.  They consider them vicious but not 
skillful fighters.  The American method in the South Pacific, of using 
tanks against pillboxes, will not work when anti-tank guns are present. 
March 19, 1944
Campanole, Stiller, and I went to lunch with Sir Eugene Ramsden and 
the Stockdales at a place some forty-five miles from here.  To get there 
we drove through Manchester over the Moors.  Every few miles we would 
come on a large city hidden in the valley.  Leeds is one of the cities 
so situated.
March 20, 1944
Worked hard most of the day on Letter of Instruction No. 2, covering 
tactics.  Gaffey and Gay arrived at 1900.  I was glad to see both of them.
March 21, 1944 
Had in all the staff of Seventh Army and Colonel E. T. Williams, of 
the Third Army, and told them that the Third Army staff was carefully 
selected and of long experience, and that those present are not to jump 
at the conclusion that all we did was right and all they did was wrong. 
Both staffs have good methods, and what we must do is to evolve still a 
better method embodying the good points of each of the old staffs. 
March 22, 1944 
Nothing. 
March 23, 1944
Commissioned and enlisted members of the Headquarters of the Third 
Army commenced to arrive at 2045 and finished at 0430.  All these men and 
officers were met and properly put away.  Colonel Cummings did a splendid

March 23, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
job.

The papers today announced that General "Sandy" (Alexander) Patch
is commanding the Seventh Army and said I have one too, but did not say
where it is.

March 24, 1944
General George A. Davis, former Chief of Staff of the Third Army,
whom I had asked not to have sent to U.K., came anyhow; either ETOUSA
failed to send the wire or it was not delivered by the Adjutant General.

At 1000 I had all the officers and men form in front of Peover Hall
and I gave them a talk.  The men then marched off and I talked to all
the officers.  Finally, we had all the chiefs of sections and assistants
in the office.  Talks went over in good shape.

March 25, 1944
We got a very amusing report on the Italian Campaign, signed by
Barr, Devers' Chief of Staff, but written, I think, by Clark or Gruenther.
It spent most of the opening pages saying how much higher the mountains
in Italy were, how much bigger and meaner the Germans in Italy were, and
how much heavier Clark's losses have been.  Clark seems to take great
pride in the number of men he gets killed, and he is always boasting to
me and making comparisons with the number I lost.  I see no use in paying
unnecessary casualties for victory.  Finally, and to prove their superiority,
they say that while we won a campaign in 38 days, they hadn't yet
won theirs, which seemed to me a rather amusing method of self-laudation.
The Leicester-Warren dance was a great success and we all had a fine time.
Sunday I am going to inspect the Royal Naval College at Eton, near Chester,
have lunch there, and then fly to London so as to be on hand to be decorated 
with the C.B. (Commander of the Bath) on Monday afternoon.

March 26, 1944
Captain B.H. Warner, Royal Navy, Commandant of the Royal Naval
College, Eton, Cheshire, asked me three weeks ago to come down and inspect
the college today.  Captain Stiller and I arrived at 1000.  I saw the
Colors taken over by the guard.  They use a special march at half-time
which is very impressive.  One of the color bearers had a fever of 102
but refused to go on sick report until he had had the honor of carrying
the colors.  I then inspected the guard and 48 WRENS who do the clerical
work at the college; then the different companies of cadets, ranging in
age from 14 to nearly eighteen.  Eton Hall, where the College is temporarily situated, is the home of the Duke of Westminister, who is said to be
one of the richest people in England.  Most of this money comes from
property in the vicinity of Westminister, which is owned by the family.
The Captain told me, apparently in all seriousness, that the Duke is not
a high-class nobleman, as he has only been a Duke for 300 years, and
before that, had been nothing but a Marquis.  It is said that his taxes
are so great that he has to pay 21 shillings on every pound he gets; in
other words, it costs him a pound and a shilling every time he gets a
pound.  The grounds of the place are very beautiful.  In peactime 120
gardeners were employed.  At the present moment there seem to be none.

Flew to London, arriving at 1700 and called on Hughes.  Lucas was
with him.  As a result of my talk with Lucas, I think that he was timid
at the Anzio beachhead.  He said he did not feel justified in expending a corps.  He did not expend it because he did not try.  Had he taken the
high ground he might have been cut off, but again he might not have been.
Without the high ground in his possession, the landing was useless.  Our
losses to date, in the beachhead, are in excess of 18,000, which is more

March 26, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
than a division and a half, so he made the expenditure without any justifiable 
gain.  Both Alexander and Clark were present on the shore on D Day, 
and as Lucas said, "Kept breathing down his neck," but neither of them 
had the guts to order Lucas forward.  I feel very sorry for Lucas as I 
think he knows he did wrong, yet thinks he did his duty. 
March 27, 1944
Went to Widewing, Supreme Invasion Headquarters, at 1050, and found 
that I was not expected to lunch.  In fact, with the exception of McClure, 
the Public Relations Officer, none of the American officers to be decorated 
were expected for lunch, which was for the benefit of the British. 
I had lunch with Butcher, Kay, Briggs and several other WACS.
At 1400 there was a two-company guard, one American and one British. 
Field Marshal Sir Allen Brooke, Chief of the Imperial Staff, represented 
the King and pinned on the ribbons.  General Eddy and I got C.B.'s, 
Holmes and McClure O.B.E.'s (Order of the British Empire), and others 
got lesser medals. 
Sir Andrew Cunningham was there, and very nice as usual.  Brooke 
said, "Don't wince, Patton, I shan't kiss you."  He also said that I had 
earned the decoration more than any other American.  He probably said 
the same thing to each one --- he is of the clerical type.  Ike said, 
"I wish the Americans could be as smart as the British."
I also chatted with Mr. William Phillips, political advisor to Ike. 
Mr. P. was terribly worried about how to prevent fraternization between 
Germans and Americans during the first seven months of our occupation. 
I told him he was crossing a bridge before he got to it and that, anyway, 
nothing could stop fraternization.

March 27, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
I learned from Lucas that, in the initial landing, the British, 
as usual, failed to land until evening --- 14 hours late. 
March 28, 1944 
At noon, Beedle Smith phoned me about my letter to Lee asking for 
15% overstrength in the Third Army.  He stated that General Bradley and 
General Allen were excited because I was trying to rob them.  He said 
I should have come to him after General Eisenhower gave me permission 
to ask for the overhead, because General Eisenhower really knew very 
little about what was going on, and it was up to him, Smith, to fix 
things up.  He said, "Ike often makes mistakes unless I see to it."
Since Eisenhower gave me this permission in the presence of Bradley on
March 8, it seems to me that Smith is very much off base.  I think he 
is dying of a swelled head as the result of being promoted. 
I told him that I had carried out the exact instructions I had received 
from the Commander-in-Chief.  I also stated that in fifteen days,
from March 8 to March 23, when Lee phoned me asking me to confirm the 
order in writing, nothing had been done by Lee or himself, Smith.  Smith 
replied that when I knew Lee better I would not be surprised that it 
took him fifteen days to do nothing.  We are very unfortunate to have 
Lee occupying both positions of Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Service of 
Supply.  He is one of the starry-eyed boys and too pro-British, while 
Smith simply yearns for safe power, which he can exercise under the 
shadow of a real man.
March 29, 1944 
Hughes, who came back with me on the 27th, and I waited all day for 
the weather to clear so we could fly to Ireland but it did not clear.

March 30, 1944
At the moment, 0900, it looks as though we could get off soon.  We
took off at 1330 and landed at 1440.  General Haislip met us and we
drove to the Headquarters of the 5th Division commanded by General
[*initials*] Le R.C. Irwin, who was Artillery Officer of the 9th Division in Tunisia,
and whom I got promoted.  Brigadier General Allen Warnock is the 
Assistant Division Commander and Brigadier General H C [*initials*] Vandeveer is
Artillery.  He was Artillery Instructor at Riley when I was there in
"38.  The whole division was arranged en masse and looked superior.  I
have never seen a better turn out, and having done it many times in all
grades from Major to Major General I know the amount of care and effort
put into it.  The junior officers must be good.  My talk was a little
too long but I praised them for their two years in Iceland of which they
are proud, and on which no one has commended them.  We then saw an
attack against a fortified position using all types of live ammunition.
It was very well done. They will fight.  [*to here*]
March 31, 1944
Made a talk to the 8th Division, Maj General W.C. McMahon; Brig General
N.M. Walker is #2 and General J. A. Pickering, my old Chief of Staff,
Artillery.  The division was massed and looked as well, or better, than
the 5th.  It was a most inspiring sight.  After lunch they put on a
battalion, reinforced, in an attack on a hostilely occupied position.
It was the best thing of its sort I have ever seen.  They used marching
fire and two men were hurt, one in the fleshy part of the right shoulder,
the other in the calf of the leg.  Nothing serious.  The man hit in the
shoulder kept on and even threw grenades.  It showed a very fine spirit.
The man who will do that in maneuvers will go a long way in battle.

March 31, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
After this maneuver I called the battalion together and told them about 
this. 
The Colonel commanding the battalion is a reserve officer named 
Jones 1, who was a very famous football coach in the south.  The same 
qualities which made him a great coach make him a great battalion 
commander---a natural leader.  I asked General McMahon to see that the 
soldier shot through the arm got the Soldier's medal.  This division 
will fight. 
April 1, 1944 
Talked to the 2d Infantry Division today Maj General W.M. Robertson, 
Brigadier General T. L. Martin (the artist), and Brig Gen G.P. Hays (Medal of 
Honor) in command of the artillery.  Later we saw an attack by a 
battalion supported by the entire division artillery.  The parade was 
as good as the other two, or nearly so, but the problem was poor in concept 
though well executed in technique.  The machine guns and mortars 
were too far back, no marching fire was used, and infantry advancing by 
rushes when there was no point to it.  I was rather too severe in my 
criticism to Robertson but told the men how good they were.  It is a 
grand division.  Later I called on Lt. General Sir Allan Cunningham who 
commands in Ireland.  He is a brother to Sir Andrew but not so impressive. 
He took Abyssinia and was later relieved for reasons I do not understand, 
but alleged to be because he showed lack of nerve, whereas in Abyssinia 
he made attacks and conquered the country with practically nothing.  In 
fact, when the Italians surrendered to him at Addis Ababa, there were 
a great many more of them than he had troops. 
Dick Jenson was killed a year ago today.
1

April 2, 1944 
Hoped to fly back to England today but there was no visibility, so 
Hughes and I had a long talk with General Haislip, which I believe did
a lot of good.  I am quite impressed with him.  Took a long walk. 
April 3, 1944 
Still weather-bound.  Inspected ordnance and signal units, all excellent 
to superior.  Took boat at Belfast at 2:00 and had a very quiet 
trip. 
April 4, 1944 
Landed at 0600 near Blackpool.  Reached Peover at 0900 by car.  
Gaffey tells me that a War Department inspector is in London in connection 
with the killing of prisoners in Sicily.  I tried two men, a Captain and 
a Sergeant for it and they pleaded at the trial that I had ordered them to 
do it.  When the question of trying these two men for what was clearly 
barefaced murder came up, some of my friends advised me not to do it, 
as they said what has happened would happen, because that would be the 
natural line that the defense counsel would take.  However, I did not 
believe them and do not believe now that I can condone murder for my 
own benefit. 
When I addressed the 45th Division in Africa just before sailing 
for Sicily I got pretty bloody, trying to get an untried division to 
the sticking point.  Among other things I said that if the enemy keeps 
shooting at you till you are right on top of him, you can't stop shooting 
when he tries to surrender.  If he wants to surrender he must do it 
in time, or come to you with his hands up.  If he snipes you from the 
rear, you must kill him if you can.  However, I made no statements by 
which the wildest stretch of the imagination could be considered as

April 4, 1944 
directing the killing of prisoners.  Furthermore, it is interesting to 
remember that this murdering took place on the 14th of July after the 
troops had been ashore and in contact with the enemy, and had taken 
prisoners for three days; therefore, had I ordered any killing, it 
would have started on the 11th and not on the 14th.
I just heard an amusing incident.  Someone overheard a heated discussion 
between Wedemeyer and Ike about me.  Finally Wedemeyer said, 
"Hell, get on to yourself, Ike; you didn't make him, he made you."
April 5, 1944
Codman, Odom and I left for London via Headquarters VIII Corps. 
I wanted to talk to Middleton about the shootings and also about the two 
addresses I gave the 45th Division, at both of which he was present as 
the then Division Commander.  I gave two addresses because the Division 
was camped in two different spots, butthe two talks were identical as 
nearly as one can make them when speaking extemporaneously.  His memory 
of what I said was the same as my own and was also corroborated by 
Stiller and Codman, who were present. 
We reached London at 1530 and called up Ollie Haines 1 and asked 
him to come over with Lt. Colonel Williams, the Inspector General 
who has been sent from Washington to make the investigation.  They asked 
me the regular questions about being willing to testify and knowing my 
rights. 
Captain Compton of Company "A", 180th Infantry and Sergeant West, 
Company "C", 180th Infantry were the two men who did the murdering on 
July 14 near Butera Airport.  Captain Compton captured 43 Germans who 
had been sniping.  Five of these were in civilian clothes, either in 
1 Col O.L. Haines (cav.)

April 5, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
whole or in part.  The Captain had these men shot without trial.  Those 
in civilian clothes could have been shot legally - the rest not.  Compton 
was later killed in Italy.
Sgt. West was conducting 36 prisoners to the rear, and when well 
out of the battle zone halted them on the side of the road and killed 
them.  In my opinion both men were crazy. 
At the trials, the defense counsels said that in my speech to the 
45th Division on June 27th (I think it was), I had said that if the 
enemy resisted until we got to within 200 yards, he had forfeited his 
right to live.  What I had said, as nearly as I can remember it, and 
corroborated by Middleton, Codman, Stiller, and later by Wedemeyer, was 
this: "In a close fight when you get within one or two hundred yards 
of the enemy and he shows signs of wishing to surrender, don't cease 
firing and go in to get him, but keep on shooting until he comes to you 
with his hands up."  This is only simple common sense.  Concerning 
snipers I said, "When you are sniped, especially from the rear, the 
snipers must be destroyed."  Of course in neither case did I contemplate 
murder of men who had surrendered.  The fact that Johnnie Waters is a 
prisoner would, aside from anything else, have made me the last one to 
do a thing for which they could retaliate on him. 
The testimony in the two cases as to what I said was different, 
which also indicates that the defense counsels were using quite unethical 
methods and manufacturing evidence out of whole cloth. 
Codman and I took Wedemeyer to dinner and had a very pleasant talk 
with him later.

April 6, 1944 
Hughes came in at 8 o'clock to see if I was in any trouble.  I 
assured him I was not.  However, we decided to write Surles an accurate 
account of the incident so that if any unscrupulous correspondent got 
wind of it, Surles could immediately state the facts.  I also told him 
that he could get the additional sworn testimony from Lt. Colonel 
Williams, who was returning to the U. S. 
I went to see Bradley but he was busy.  Saw Wedemeyer again in the 
afternoon and went to the Theater with Hughes and Mrs. Prismall. 
April 7, 1944 
Gaffey, Maddox, Muller and myself went to the briefing of the First 
U. S. Army and the Second British Army at St. Paul's School at 0855. 
General Montgomery gave a 2-hour talk, followed by Air Marshal Sir Thomas 
Leigh-Mallory and Admiral Sir Bernard Ramsey.  The Navy was still quite 
gloomy and had lots of reasons why the things would fail.  But is was 
interesting between the Air, Navy and Ground troops than there had been at 
a similar meeting we had in Algiers before we took off for Sicily.  I 
think that much of this good understanding has been due to General 
Eisenhower's efforts. 
After lunch, Bradley, Gerow, and Collins gave the First Army plan 
and the plan of the VII and XIX Corps.  The British then gave the plan 
of the Second British Army.  As usual they were much more prolix [*ific (?)*] than 
we are.  They have not got the training in such conference which we have 
received from the War College, and it always shows up. 
The Prime Minister made the last talk and the best.  He said, 

April 7, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
"Remember that this is an invasion, not a creation of a fortified beachhead."
During Montgomery's lecture it was interesting to note that I 
was the only Army Commander of the four Army Commanders involved to be 
mentioned by name.  The other three he mentioned by number. 
Had dinner with Ike, Mr. McCloy, McNarney, Bradley and Smith. 
McNarny jumped on Ike about the mishandling of replacements in Africa, 
which is correct, and they are doing a worse job here. 
I had quite a talk with them trying to justify an initial overstrength 
of 15%.  I base this on the fact that the normal loss from disease and 
accidents runs around 8%, so that troops invariably enter battle short. 
The first day's casualties cannot be replaced for a few days or even a 
week.  That is added to the first shortage so that at the crucial point 
of a battle, usually the third or fourth day, there is a serious shortage. 
If we started with the 15% overstrength, we would enter the battle the 
first day 7% overstrength, and if we assume that 5% casualties per day 
will occur, we would still be 1% understrength at the end of the third 
day. 
It is further necessary to remember that the efficiency of a division 
is not measured by its shortage in personnel.  A shortage of 10% in 
personnel reduces the effectiveness of a division about 20%, and as the 
losses increase, the efficiency decreases in almost geometrical ratio. 
I can't get anyone to realizethis.  That is because none of our 
topflight generals have ever fought.  As usual, Bradley said nothing. 
He does all the getting along and does it to his own advantage.  I expect 
I take chances because at heart the army is not my living and beside I 
am a soldier --- a simple soldier.  Referring to the Inspector General

April 7, 1944 (cont'd p. 3)
incident Ike said, "You talk too much."  I said, "If you order me not 
to I will stop.  Otherwise I will continue to influence troops the only 
way I know, a way thich so far has produced results."  He said, "Go 
ahead but watch yourself."  All of them but me are scared to death.  I 
shall certainly attempt to say nothing which can be quoted. 
April 8, 1944 
Drove back to Peover by way of Henly and Turville Park where Papa 
and Mama lived one summer in 1921.  We had quite a time finding it. 
First we got to Turville Grange where an old lady named Madama D'Hautpool 
said she was sure they had never lived there, as she had lived there 30
years, and the dear queen, Alexandra, had visited her there during the 
last dreadful war.  Turville Park, where they did live, is not taken 
over by the Ministry of works and used as a storage place for things 
from the British Museum.  I was glad to have seen it as the family 
liked it so much. 
April 9, 1944 - Easter Sunday
Went to church and wrote a letter to a Mrs. Sparks about the death 
of her husband. 
April 10, 1944
Nothing. 
April 11, 1944
Nothing.
April 12, 1944
General F.U. Greer of the 79th Division called.  He was the Colonel 
of the 18th Infantry in Tunisia and did very well.  I had him made.  We 
had him to lunch and had a very pleasant talk.

April 13, 1944 
General R.C. Macon of the 83rd Division called.  He commanded the 
7th Infantry when we landed in Morocco and did well.  I had him made. 
General Middleton came to see me and we had a talk on the use of separate 
tank battalions in support of infantry.  I used many of his ideas in the 
memorandum I am writing on that subject.  General Charles Hines, Chief of 
Anti-Air, Third Army came to lunch.  After lunch I had General H. L. 
Earnest in to talk on the use of tank destroyers.  He is to draw up a 
memorandum of them similar to the one I wrote on tanks.  We also had a 
staff meeting to discuss a new directive for the employment of the Third 
Army.  It is pretty general, and means that when we get to France we 
will fight.  I have a feeling, probably unfounded, that either Monty or 
Bradley are not too anxious for me to have a command.  If they knew what 
little respect I had for the fighting ability of either of them they 
would be even less anxious for me to show them up. 
April 14, 1944
Played golf alone with a half-wit caddy and did worse than usual, 
also ran a little and walked about a mile.  I am in good shape and wish 
the whistle would blow. 
Colonel D.J. Page, who used to be executive to the artillery 
commander of the 9th Division, and who should have had a star, is here. 
Eddy said he was unhappy in the 9th under Ike's classmate, Howel, who 
got the star, so I got him transferred to the 5th Armored Division.  The 
artillery officer they had was no good. 
April 15, 1944 
Not a damn thing I can do.  All the staff is working and we are 
doing all right.  I inspected the engineers, artillery, G-3 and G-2 
offices.  This staff does not work with the same intensity as that of

April 15, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
the Seventh Army.  They have too much of an idea of shuffling papers. 
However, they are learning.  I inspected the Army forward echelon messes 
and had Gay eat lunch at the Officer's mess; Stiller ate supper at the 
enlisted men's mess; and Captain Murnane, Gay's aide, ate supper at the 
rear echelon with the enlisted men.  They all told me that the messes 
were in fair shape, but I think they can all be improved. 
A white lieutenant from a colored ambulance company was arrested 
for entering a factory by climbing over a wire fence and carrying a concealed 
weapon.  He was probably drunk.  I called in Colonel J.C. 
MacDonald, the Provost Marshal.  The Lieutenant will be tried. 
April 16, 1944 
I had lunch with the Leicester-Warrens.  They used to be de-Warrens, 
as I saw this on an inscription in their Chapel.  I do not understand 
the methods by which people gain and lose names in England, but it seems 
very easy. 
I also called on Colonel Goldschmidt, whose books on riding I used 
to read.  I gathered from talking with him that he is a better writer 
than a rider. 
April 17, 1944
I had a staff meeting at 1100 to inform the staff, particularly the 
new part of it, that they are not following things through: that they 
issue orders but do not check to see that they are carried out.  I said 
that I am not going to cut off any heads to produce results, but I am 
going to demand efficiency. 
Colonel Elliott Cutler, of the Medical Corps, was here for breakfast. 
He has a very good idea which he acquired from visiting the Russians, 

April 17, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
namely, to put the slightly wounded in a hospital by themselves, and 
the badly wounded and badly diseased in another hospital by themselves. 
He says that doctors, particularly civilian doctors (and that is 99% of
our Medical Corps), naturally spend most of their time on serious cases, 
whereas in war you should spend most of your time on the cases which can 
be got back to the front promptly.  Furthermore, if the slightly wounded 
men associate with the badly wounded or diseased men, they learn a lot 
of symptoms which they then tell the doctors they themselves possess, 
and the doctors are big enough fools to leave them in the hospital when 
they should go back to the fighting.  Cutler also pointed out that it has 
a great moral effect to get men back to their old unit, because in that 
case the soldiers see that getting wounded is not a very serious business. 
Major General Floyd Scowden, Assistant Quartermaster of the U. S. 
Army (my old roommate) came to lunch and stayed for quite a talk on 
uniforms. 
April 18, 1944
Mr. McCloy and Generals McNarney and Lee arrived in their special 
train at Knutsford at 7:45.  We had breakfast on the train and then 
drove them to Peover.  I showed them the map giving them the location of 
the Third Army and then took them for a briefing by the staff on the 
whole show.  This was very well done and took 55 minutes.  I mentioned 
to them, and so did Middleton, that in the setup, as now put out, there 
is a British Corps under the First U. S. Army, set to enter Paris.  This 
is probably all right as they wish British, American and French to enter 
at the same time, but it is well to indicate this to the powers that be. 
I also said to them in private that I hoped the First U. S. Army Group 

April 18, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
would be functioning, so that American troops would not enter Paris 
under an Englishman. 
Mr. McCloy asked me what I thought of Monty.  I said first that I 
preferred not to answer and then on being pressed I said I thought Monty 
was too cautious and would not take calculated risks. 
Both McCloy and McNarney urged me to say nothing that would get me 
criticized, as it was possible that if I get in trouble again, someone 
would bring up a resolution in the Senate demanding my recall.  I told 
them that my methods had produced men who would fight, and I would be 
untrue to myself if I failed to use them, regardless of what happens 
to me.  McNarney kept saying that the thing for me was to keep out of 
trouble so that I could lead the men.  McCloy said that he would see that 
I command an Army in France in spite of hell. 
General Waterhouse, an Englishman, came to lunch.  He told me a 
good story about an alleged remark of General Moltke, the elder, which 
is as follows:  "Officers have four attributes arranged in pairs -- 
intelligence and stupidity, energy and laziness.  An energetic and intelligent 
officer makes a good staff officer.  An intelligent and lazy officer 
makes a fine commander.  A stupid and lazy officer can be used, but God 
deliver me from an energetic fool."
April 19, 1944
Nothing. 
April 20, 1944
Left at 0800 to give a talk to the 90th Division, commanded by 
Brigadier General J.W. MacKelvie, John A. Devine, Artillery, with 
Brig Gen J.P. Williams the assistant Division Commander, at Bridgenorth.
[*rank & initials*]

April 20, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
All the officers and senior non-coms were present.  After I finished, 
General Middleton, the Corps Commander, gave a fine talk, using football 
as a vehicle of expression.  When the troops were dismissed, we assembled 
all colonels and battalion commanders and had an informal talk.  I was 
very favorably impressed with the appearance and discipline, and also 
the physical size of the men in the Division.  After lunch we drove to 
the Headquarters of the XX Corps at Marlboro.  I talked at some length 
to the Corps Staff.  Walker tries hard but is fat and short --- two 
qualities I always distrust. 1
April 21, 1944
In the morning we inspected the Corps Artillery, who were having a 
Command Post Exercise.  It was very bookish and showed lack of imagination. 
The problem was in the Downs and there were as far as the eye 
could see only three lines of trees which would be natural enemy artillery 
targets.  However, they chose these lines of trees as points of concealment 
for their installations.  Also the close defense machine guns were right 
in the position, and so would be unable to keep fire from reaching it. 
Before lunch we looked at a racing stable where some Astor horses 
were training.  I thought that, from the confirmation standpoint, they 
were a poor lot.  After lunch spoke to the officers and senior non-coms 
of the 28th Division, General Lloyd Brown, Brig Gen Kenneth Buchanan and Brig Gen B. H. 
Perry, Artillery Officer at Chislendon.  Walker told me that they were 
pretty ratty but I thought them very good.  Talked to regimental and 
battalion commanders at some length, especially on use of assault fire. 
Walker and I then drove to Chippenham to see General "P" Wood, 4th 
Armored Division, and explained to him an illustrated exercise I want
1 He proved [the] a shining exception to the rule.
B.A.P.

April 21, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
put on to show the use of a tank platoon in close support of infantry. 
Wood was in a bad state as the result of having been ridden over by a 
peep, which would probably have killed any other man. 
April 22, 1944 
Left "P's" headquarters at 0600 and got to Castle Martin at the 
southwest end of Wales at 1100.  Combat Command "B", under Colonel George 
Read of the 6th Armored Division was there, having firing and doing 
well.  General RW Grow was also there.  I inspected all types of firing. 
The bazooka was bad as they were firing at long ranges, 150 yards, and 
getting misses.  The tactical dispositions were bad but the use of 
weapons good.  It was also apparent that they took too long to get on 
targets of opportunity, and had failed to realize that, when light tanks 
attack medium tanks, they must do so by platoon or at least by section. 
April 23, 1944
Left at 0800 and got to Peover at 1330.  Drove along west coast of 
Wales.  It was very pretty.  The Burroughs family came to dinner and a 
very bad movie. 
April 24, 1944
We gave the commanding Generals and staffs of the VIII and XV Corps 
a two-hour briefing on the assault plan.  It was very well done.  Decorated 
Haislip with the Oak Leaf Cluster on his DSM for work in the desert.  Yet 
Muller and Gay, who ran a good war, can't get the DSM.
April 25, 1944 
General "Billy" (Ira C.) Wyche and two staff officers came to lunch 
and were briefed on plan.  Gaffey, Gay, Maddox and I went over possible 
use of Third Army and I drew up a draft memorandum on it.  We fear that

April 25, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Monty will steal our 28th Division to use against Havre and then we will 
have no amphibious division to get us ashore.  It is too bad that no one 
in FUSAG has ever been to war --- they are not realists. 
At 1800 Colonel Campanole, a British ensign, who is Campy's land-lady's 
nephew, Stiller and myself went to Knutsford to see the opening 
of a British Welcome club.  I had been asked to open it but declined as 
I did not want to be too prominent.  In fact, I deliberately arrived 
15 minutes late, but this did no good, as they were waiting for me. 
There were also some photographers in the yard, who took pictures but 
promised me not to publish them, as I told them I was not there officially. 
There were about between 50 and 60 people at the meeting, mostly 
women.  Finally, the Chairman, Mrs. Constantine Smith, asked me to say a 
few words.  When she introduced me, she said, "General Patton is not here 
officially and is speaking in a purely friendly way."
April 26, 1944 
General Gilbert "Doc" Cook of the XII Corps and Walker of the XX 
with staff came to lunch and we gave them the long briefing on the operation. 
Our staff did a really swell job and I was proud of them.  Just 
before lunch the public relations people from Ike's called up to know 
what I said in my talk yesterday.  They got Hap Gay on the line and 
told him to ask me what I had said about British and Americans ruling 
the world.  I told him that I said "Since it was the evident destiny of 
England and the Americans, and of course the Russians, to rule the world, 
the better we knew each other the better it would be.  Hap told me that 
some papers said I mentioned the Russians and some did not.  Since it 
seems to have been a bad thing to do I will copy from the program the

April 26, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
names of the principal people present:
Honorable Mrs. Constantine Smith, Chairman of the Committee, opened 
the show and introduced Miss Foster Jeffery, Order of the British Empire, 
Regional Administrator of the Women's Voluntary Services.  Miss Jeffery 
made a speech, pronounced the club open, then asked me to say something. 
I did.  As far as I knew, no correspondents were present and not more 
than 50 or 60 people, mostly women.  In any case I was really trying to 
be careful.  Mr. F. Johnson, Chairman of the Knutsford Urban District 
Council, made a speech thanking Miss Jeffery and me.  Then Colonel T. 
Blatherwick, D.S.O., C.B., made a speech.  Next Mr. A. Armstrong, the 
U. S. Consul from Manchester and finally Mr. G. Mould of the Ministry 
of Information.  I thanked everyone and went home.  When Mrs. Constantine 
Smith introduced me she said, "General Patton is not here officially", 
which was naturally an added reason for me to think that no mention would 
be made of my presence or remarks in the press. 
I was asked to stay to supper but felt that I did not wish that 
much publicity and went home.
April 27, 1944
Colonel William Ganoe came to see me at 0900.  He is the head of 
the Historical Section for this theatre and is putting a team of nine 
officers with each Army.  The head man in our team was the professor of 
military history at the University of Chicago Maj. Cole.  Colonel Ganoe told me 
an interesting thing.  When Hooker assumed command of the Union army at 
Chancellorsville, his plan was fine, and, to a point, well executed. 
After he got over the river, he received a letter from Mr. Lincoln in 
which Lincoln said he had given Hooker command under protest, and that 

April 27, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
he himself, had no confidence in Hooker.  Hooker promptly assumed the 
defensive position. 
So far as I am concerned every effort is made to show lack of confidence 
in my judgment and at the same time, in every case of stress, 
great confidence in my fighting.  None of those at Ike's headquarters 
ever go to bat for juniors, and in any argument between the British and 
the Americans, invariably favor the British.  Benedict Arnold is a piker 
compared with them and that includes Lee as well as Ike and Beedle. 
Beedle called up at 1030 and said that he was giving me a verbal order 
from Ike that I am never to talk in public without first submitting what 
I am going to say to Ike and himself for censorship, thereby displaying 
great confidence in an Army Commander --- if I have not been relieved ---.
Beedle also said that due to my "unfortunate remarks" the permanent 
promotion of himself and me might never come off.  How sad.  In consonance 
with this order I am unable to talk with either the 79th, 80th, 83rd 
or 7th Armored Divisions, a restriction that will surely cost lives, yet 
if I break it I will get relieved and that would mean defeat and a still 
larger loss.  "God show the right" and damn all reporters and gutless men. 
The first group of Civil Affairs Section came to see me and we had 
a talk.  Gaspar Bacon is one of them. 
April 28, 1944
General de Brigade LeClerc, who commands the French 2nd Armored 
Division, which is now attached to the Third Army, came to call.  We had 
a guard of honor for him, which pleased him.  He is the man who marched 
to Tunisia all the way from Central Africa.  He is a good type French 
soldier and, I believe, quite intelligent.  He said one strange thing, 

April 28, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
however: that since his Division was the only French Division in the 
Third Army, it was very important that it should not be killed off too 
soon.  He also pointed out that he had no replacements and asked me to 
use my good offices to secure them.  He looks just like an American and 
I think speaks better English than he admits. 
April 29, 1944
A company of our Military Police battalion, and a band, and a group 
of nurses, took part in the Alderley Edge "Salute the Soldier Week."  I 
had been asked to received the salute there but felt that I had better 
keep out of the limelight, so General Gay took it.  I looked on from a 
private automobile on a side street. 
Later, Colonel Goldschmidt and I went to look at some horses.  They 
did not impress me very much.  Apparently he and Colonel McFadden 1 are 
mortal enemies. 
April 30, 1944 
Went to church.  While I was there Beedle called up and told me to 
report to Ike, at Ike's office, at either 1100 or 1500 tomorrow.  It can 
be anything from a reprimand to a reduction, or a new plan of campaign. 
These constant pickings are a little hard on the nerves, but great training. 
I feel that, if I get reduced and sent home, it might be quite 
important, as I would get into politics as an honest and straightspoken 
man and would either be a great success or a dismal failure.  Gaffey was 
told by Hughes that, on the 28th, when Hughes went to see Ike, he was 
just writing a cable to General Marshall saying that he, Ike had no 
further need of protecting me and would not resist my being recalled. 
When Hughes showed him my statements on the Knutsford speeches he said, 
1 Another author on horsemanship.

April 30, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
"Oh, hell" and tore the cable up.  I do know from Mrs. Pressmall that 
Hughes is still worried about me --- so am I. 
May 1, 1944
In spite of possible execution this morning I slept well and trust 
my destiny.  God has never let me, or the country, down yet.  Reported 
to Ike at 1100.  He was most cordial and asked me to sit down, so I felt 
a little reassured.  He said, "George, you have gotten yourself into a 
very serious fix."  I said, "Before you go any farther, I want to say 
that your job is more important than mine, so if in trying to save me 
you are hurting yourself, throw me out."  He said, "I have now got all 
that the army can give me --- it is not a question of hurting me but of 
hurting yourself and depriving me of a fighting army commander."  He 
went on to say that General Marshall had wired him that my repeated mistakes 
have shaken the confidence of the country and the War Department. 
General Marshall even harked back to the Kent Lambert incident in 
November 1942 --- certainly a forgiving s.o.b. 
Ike said he had recommended that, if I were to be relieved and sent 
home, I be not reduced to a Colonel, as the relief would be sufficient 
punishment, and that he felt that situations might well arise where it 
would be necessary to put me in command of an army. 
I told Ike that I was perfectly willing to fall out on a permanent 
promotion so as not to hold the others back.  Ike said General Marshall 
had told him that my crime had destroyed all chance of my permanent 
promotion, as the opposition said that even if I was the best tactician 
and strategist in the army, my demonstrated lack of judgment made me 
unfit to command.  He said that he had wired General Marshall on Sunday 
washing his hands of me.  (He did not use these words but that is what

May 1, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
he meant).  I told him that if I was reduced to a Colonel I demanded 
the right to command one of the assault regiments; that this was not a 
favor but a right.  He said no, because he felt he would surely need me 
to command an army.  I said, "I am not threatening, but I want to tell 
you that this attack is badly planned and on too narrow a front and may 
well result in an Anzio, especially if I am not there.  He replied, 
"Don't I know it, but what can I do?"  That is a hell of a remark for 
a supreme commander.  The fact is that the plan which he has approved 
was drawn by a group of British in 1943.  Monty changed it only by 
getting 5 instead of 3 divisions into the assault, but the front is too 
short.  There should be three separate attacks on at least a 90 mile 
front.  I have said this for nearly a year.  Ike said he had written me 
a "savage" letter but wanted me to know that his hand is being forced 
in the United States.  He talked to the Prime Minister about me and 
Churchill told him that he could see nothing to it.  That "Patton had 
simply told the truth."  Ike then went on to excuse General Marshall on 
the grounds that it was an election year etc.  It is sad and shocking to 
think that victory and the lives of thousands of men are pawns to the 
"fear of They", and the writings of a group of unprincipled reporters, 
and weak kneed congressmen, but so it is.  When I came out I don't think 
anyone could tell that I had just been killed.  I have lost lots of competitions 
in the sporting way, but I never did better.  I feel like 
death, but I am not out yet.  If they will let me fight, I will; but if 
not, I will resign so as to be able to talk, and then I will tell the 
truth, and possibly do my country more good.  All the way home, 5 hours,
I recited poetry to myself.  "If you can make a heap of all your winnings

May 1, 1944 (cont'd . 2)
And risk them on one game of pitch and toss
And lose, and start at your beginning 
And never breathe a word about your loss"
"I dared extreme occasion and never one betrayed". 
My final thought on the matter is that I am destined to achieve some 
great thing --- what I don't know, but this last incident was so trivial 
in its nature, but so terrible in its effect, that it is not the result 
of an accident but the work of God.  His Will be done. 
General Leroy Lutes of the U. S. Service of Supply was here when I 
got back after supper and we gave him a briefing and entertained him. 
I hope to get some equipment as a result. 
May 2, 1944 
Felt very much like a Thanksgiving Turkey all day, waiting for the 
axe to fall, but no news.  I did not feel like working but luckily had 
little to do. 
May 3, 1944
Went to the Station Hospital 164 to have my teeth cleaned.  It is a 
very good hospital --- the best I have seen in any theater.  At the request 
of Lt. Colonel Clune, I made an informal inspection, and wrote a 
letter afterward to General Kenner stating that it was an excellent 
hospital and that Clune should be promoted.  When I got back Gay handed 
ne an Eisenhower dispatch telegram which said in effect:  "Since the War 
Department has placed the decision of relieving you on me, I have decided 
to keep you.  My letter on this subject will be put in the official file 
(cover plan).  Go ahead and train your army."  (See Appendix 139). 
I felt much better and wrote Ike, thanking him.  He called up in 
person and was very nice.  Sometimes I am very fond of him and this is 

May 3, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
one of the times.  When I read the wire, I called to Gay, "The war is 
over", which I always say when I mean that trouble is over.  Captain 
Murnane heard me and thought I meant that the war was over for me.  So 
when Hugh Gaffey, Gay, Codman, Stiller and I all took a drink to celebrate, 
he thought we were very callous. 
General Raymond McClain, who used to be artillery officer of the 
45th Division, called.  He was at Salerno and Anzio.  He said that at 
Salerno, Clark got badly scared, although the counter-attack was nothing 
to what we had at Gela, and he was there too.  As the result of this 
scare the battle-cry of the Anzio landing was "No more Salernos" with 
the result that they were timid.  He also said that for the firstday and 
most of the second, the high ground could have been had for the walk. 
Later, the Germans built up fast.  I had heard that this build-up was 
made by using the motorized reconnaissance units from all the available 
units, and later bringing in the infantry.  McClain agreed this was 
possible because in no other way could they have gotten identification 
from so many other divisions in such a short time.  He personally had identifications
from the Herman Goering, the 3rd Armored, the 1st Panzer, the 
71st, 65th, 114th, 26th and 715th Infantry Divisions, and one SS division. 
McClain is a National Guard officer of great courage and efficiency.  I 
asked for him as a reserve division commander but General Bradley, who 
also knows his ability, got him first. 
Brigadier General Jack Thompson came to dinner.  He commands the 
advanced section of the 7th Armored Division.  Gaffey, Gay, Thompson and 
I went to the Bells of Peover Inn to celebrate.  7th Armored has been 
delayed two weeks.  At the Bells of Peover they wanted L25 for a bottle

May 3, 1944 (cont'd p. 3)
of champagne so we did not drink it.
May 4, 1944
I felt tense, so took pills with a bromide, with no effect so 
far.  Gaffey and Maddox went to London to get our final plan approved. 
May 5, 1944
Wrote a paper on the use of armored divisions.  Major General 
Moore, Chief Engineer of NATOUSA, came to call.  It is a very cold rainy 
day but I have completely gotten back in the swing of things, thank God.
May 6, 1944
Colonel F.M.S. Miller, Third Army Air officer, has arranged a number 
of flights of airplanes of all sorts over our troops so they can get 
some idea of how they will look.  They fly in a specified order so the 
troops can pick them out, as they have the list.  For example a flight 
consisting of a P-38, two different kinds of Spitfire, a Mosquito, and 
a P-51 -- always in that order -- will arrive at a given camp at a given 
hour and circle four times, diving once. 
I went out in a Mosquito in one of these demonstrations and was up 
for nearly two hours.  I had never flown at 300 m.p.h. before and the 
effects of gravity and centrifugal force are quite interesting.  When you 
pull out of a steep dive, which has been at a rate of better than 300
miles per hour, you are actually pushed down uncomfortably on the seat 
and have difficulty in moving your legs or arms.  When banking at the 
same speed, you have the same effect of centrifugal force.  Further, at 
that speed, even with my flying experience, it is very difficult to recognize 
ground forms.  However, I could see from the plane that the men 
were very much interested and were getting valuable instruction out of the 
exercise.

May 7, 1944 - Sunday
Gay and I went calling in the afternoon. 
May 8, 1944
Left in the morning to talk to the officers of XII Corps and then 
to see "P" Wood about the tank and infantry attack on April 15.  I wrote 
a paper on the tactical use of the separate tank battalion in an attack 
with infantry showing when infantry leads and when tanks lead and how 
they are to support each other.  We first went to see the sand table 
demonstration which was along the lines I had prescribed.  We will go 
and see a rehearsal in the morning.  I made the corrections, shortening 
the attack order.
May 9, 1944
Left Wood's house at 0800 and got to the Downs in time.  All arrangements 
were made.  In the first rehearsal, the infantry advanced by rushes 
when defiladed, and failed to use their weapons.  I called the officers 
together and explained errors to them.  Had lunch.  In the second rehearsal 
I accompanied General Holmes Dager in a half-track with a radio. 
The support and reserves were so far back as to be wholly useless.  The 
tanks did better but the officers and non-coms of infantry just went 
along as members of the chorus and gave no orders.  It was very sad. 
When the tanks jumped off on the second objective the infantry were slow 
following.  The occupation of the position was poor and the employment 
of anti-tank guns awful.  The majority of the general officers of the 
Third Army came to dinner including the Frenchman, LeClerc.

May 9th, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
(List of officers present at dinner:

J. S. Wood, Maj. General     4th Armored Division
I. D. White, Maj. General     79th Division
W. H. Walker, Maj. General     XX Corps
G. S. Patton, Lt. General     Third Army
W C McMahon     8th Division
-- Lloyd Brown     28th Division
de B LeClerc     2d French Armored Division
James Taylor, Brig. General     6th Armored Division
R. C. Grow, Maj. General     6th Armored Division
de R C Irwin, Maj. General     5th Division
L. P. Oliver, Maj. General     5th Armored Division
Eugene Regnier, Brig. General     5th Armored Division
H. R. Gay     Chief of Staff, Third Army
J. B. Thompson     7th Armored Division
R C Macon     83d Division
Col. Allen     G-3 XV Corps
J. A. Holly Col.     Armored Force
H. L. Earnest     Tank Destroyer
J. E. Slack Brig Gen.     Artillery Officer, XX Corp)

After dinner we had a very good conversation and I read them the
draft of the paper I am writing on armored divisions and asked for
comments. I got very few, as none of them know anything about armored
divisions. Furthermore, very few officers ever project what they do in
training into battle, which is a very sad commentary on our system. 
During the evening I received an invitation, which is tantamount to an
order, from General Eisenhower to be present at an official luncheon in
London on the 12th.
May 10, 1944
We had all the regimental and battalion commanders of infantry,
and the separate tank battalion commanders, of the Army assembled. The
demonstration was a great success except that this time the reserve 
company was too close. I was delighted, and feel that I have at last
illustrated the use of marching fire and of tanks and infantry. It
strikes me as a sad reflection in our state of preparation for war that

May 10, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
I had to personally conduct and drive the rehearsals, but so it is.  On 
the other hand it was depressing to realize that had I not personally 
practically commanded the battalion on the second rehearsal the thing 
would not have come off.  Our officers do not realize the necessity of 
utilizing all the means at hand, all weapons, to accomplish victory. 
As the result of an invitation from Ike to a lunch on Friday, the 
12th, I came to London.
May 11, 1944
General Hughes and I drove to Cheltenham to see Colonel Walter 
Leyman about replacements.  I think that at last I succeeded in making 
them understand that a unit is never 100% effective, because, due to 
sickness and accidents, there are always some 2 to 8% of the men not 
available.  Therefore, when you go into battle, you are that much short. 
To correct this we should always have 15% over strength in basic 
privates and lieutenants.  With this overstrength we could enter battle 
at 100% and still have enough over to account for casualties in one or 
two days of fighting.  This would breach the gap which always exists 
between the requisition for replacements and the arrival of the replacements. 
In order to make this overstrength fully effective, the men should 
be with the units for at least a month before they go in.  This will give
them a feeling of personal interest in the unit. 
Every war that I know about has had a crisis on replacements.  Many 
wars have been lost because of a lack of them.  Had the British expedition 
to the Low Countries under the Duke of York in 1793 received the 10,000 
replacements it asked for instead of the 2,200, which it actually got, 

May 11, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
it is highly probable that the Revolutionary French armies would have 
been stopped, and that instead of the British going through eighteen years 
of consistent defeat, England would have been victorious and then the 
Napoleon Era would never have existed. 
It is a scandal that we have so few replacements and so many SOS
troops. 
May 12, 1944
General Eisenhower had a lunch at the Officers Club at Widewing to 
commemorate the African campaign.  As many as possible of the British 
and American participants in that Campaign were present, including Tedder, 
Conyngham, Doolittle, Admiral Cunningham, Spaatz, Hughes, Gaffey, Huebner, 
Eddy, Smith and myself --- 32 in all.  Ike made an excellent speech.  He 
said, as nearly as I can remember, "We are gathered here to commemorate 
our success in Africa.  On looking around, however, and making a mental 
calculation, it just occurs to me that if each one of the general officers, 
air marshals, and admirals here had used a machine gun for half an hour, 
some 350,000 rounds could have been fired against the enemy, so perhaps 
we would have gained a greater victory had we used you more directly. 
But seriously, it is hardly a time to stress past victories too strongly, 
so I ask that we all stand and drink a silent toast to our fellow soldiers 
who will never leave Africa."  I made the suggestion to Air Marshal 
Conyngham that I hoped neither he nor I would shortly be the object of a 
similar toast.  After lunch General Gaffey and I went to see Beedle Smith 
about the constant demands being made on the Third Army by the SOS for 
men, and the failure of the SOS to get us equipment.  We got no satisfaction 
at all out of him except being told to go and see General Bull, 

May 12, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
G-2 of SHAEF. 
After leaving Smith, Ike asked me to come in for chat.  We had 
a very pleasant few minutes together.  No lecture at all.  Hughes and I 
went for a walk and visited a saddle shop on Oxford Street, also the 
Curtis Gun shop.  Here we met the Purdy Brothers who ran an office more 
like a club than anything else.  We saw Beedle's shot gun, which they are 
giving him, and he in exchange has presented the son of the one of them 
with an electric train, value $20.00, and two U. S. Army carbines which 
he had no right to present.  The shot gun is probably priced at $2,000.00. 
It is the cheapest swindle either of us had ever seen. 
May 13, 1944
Read and loafed.  In the afternoon, Codman and I went to Marian 
Hall's for tea and met a Colonel Johnson, who is interested in prisoners 
of war.  We had Marian Hall and James Hazen Hyde's daughter-in-law to 
dinner.  Later we called on the Lunts and Sandy Patch.  The Lunts are 
entertaining but colorless-sort of human phonograph records. 
May 14, 1944
Colonel 1 and Mrs. Robert Henriques took Codman and me to lunch at 
the Cavalry Club.  Church at St. Paul's.  Later we went out and had 
dinner with Doolittle. 
May 15, 1944
All the senior commanders and their chiefs of staff assembled at 
St. Paul's School for the final briefing for the attack.  The King, the 
Primer Minister, and Field Marshal Smuts were also present.  General 
Eisenhower started with a short talk emphasizing the fact that any existing 
disagreements between the Air, the Navy, and the Ground must be
1 British commando who served on G.S.P.'s staff in the
Moroccon and Sicilian landings.

May 15, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
ironed out today.  Then Admiral Ramsey of the Navy told how difficult 
it was going to be to get troops ashore.  Air Marshal Leigh-Mallory 
followed, telling what the Air Force had done.  Then the Chief of the 
British Bomber Command spoke and made what I considered a very ill-timed 
argument in favor of bombardment instead of attack.  Bradley and Spaatz 
made short and good speeches.  The King said a few words, but it was rather 
painful to watch the efforts he made not to stammer.  At lunch I sat 
opposite Mr. Churchill who asked me whether I remembered him, and when 
I said I did, he immediately ordered me a glass of whiskey. 
After lunch there were more talks; Admiral Kirk made a weak, stilted 
one, and the British opposite number made a fine fighting talk.  Smuts 
talked a lot, but repeated himself and was not impressive.  Finally the 
Prime Minister made a really great fighting speech, worth all that preceded 
it.  He took a crack at overstressing Civil Government and said 
that his views would hurt the feelings of his dear friend, General De 
Gaulle.  Also that we were worrying too much about governing France before 
capturing it.  It was a very fine fighting speech and I intend to write 
him a letter about it.  Returned to Peover. 
May 16, 1944 
Made a talk to the officers and senior non-coms in the 79th Division 
and also to the Staff of the VIII Corps.  Middleton made a good talk, as 
usual.  I also addressed the Technical School of the Third Army. 
May 17, 1944
Made a talk to the officers and senior non-coms, also addressed Third 
Army School of Administration.  As in all my talks, I stressed fighting 
and killing.

May 17, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
In addition to the $870.00 odd I already owe Sgt. Meeks, I owe him 
as of May an additional $347.75.
May 18, 1944
Smith called on the phone to say that someone had told Ike that 
the discipline and espirit of the 5th Armored Division was bad, owing to 
their being on housekeeping duties in the marshalling area.  Damn these 
people who listen to rumors, and double damn those who spread them.  In 
this case I think it was Kenner who talked too much.  Middleton and 
Maddox are going south to talk with the Navy about the Belle Isle operation 
and will look into it.  Today I marked on my map the places I 
think I will have to fight 1.  I did it before Sicily, and was correct. 
The only worry I have about this show is how I am going to get the Army 
across and assembled on the other side.  For the fighting I have no worry. 
May 19, 1944
For over a month we have been trying to get a new command post nearer 
the embarkation area.  We had it all set when Smith called up and told 
my Chief of Staff we would not move.  I believe that this decision was 
based on a total lack of understanding of where the Third Army is, and 
also a lack of imagination which cannot picture that the best laid plans 
may not work, in which case it will be necessary for me to be on the 
ground.  People who lack both inspiration and experience are a menace 
in war. 
If this show does not go as planned, and I think it won't, they 
will need me at once, and here I am too far away. 
May 20, 1944 
Middleton and Maddox got back and told me that the 5th Armored 
Division is all right. 
1 I have the map B.A.P.

May 21, 1944
Nothing.

May 22, 1944
General Stephen Henry, Dr. Boles, an adviser to the Secretary of
War, and Mr. Rowe of the American Fruit Company, who is to be an advisor 
to General Eisenhower, came by, and we had quite a talk.  I think it may
have done some good as they all work for the Secretary of War.  Also the 
rest of the Civil Affairs section came to report in.  I memorized the 
map for quite a while and can almost draw it from memory now.  Major
General C. P. Beckett and Major General Caesar, his Chief of Staff, of 
the Western Defense Command, AA Section, called.  He had the AA at Malta 
and told me that he only lost 8% of his men in seven months of the blitz.  
He also told me that, at the end of that time, he had expended half his 
ammunition and still had 1400 rounds per gun.
Just heard the full story of Beedle Smith at Messina.  After Keyes,
Gay and I took off to enter the town, Smith and Lemnitzer arrived and
decided to follow me "if it was quite safe."  Murnane took them When
they got to the top of the pass, Smith asked if we were under fire and
was told it could happen.  Just then one of our batteries of 155 guns 
let go, firing at Italy.  Smith thought it was enemy shells arriving and 
jumped from the car into the ditch in one leap, and refused to leave it, 
even when Lemnitzer and Murnane told him it was quite safe.  When I got 
back he was still pale gray and shaky.
May 23, 1944
Nothing.
May 24, 1944
At the invitation of Colonel Everett Busch, Third Army Quartermaster,

May 24, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
I gave a talk to all corps and division quartermasters.  In this I 
stressed that it was their duty to see that the troops were supplied 
and in doing it I expected and demanded that, when the need arose, they 
would perform the impossible. 
General Oliver flew up to see me about the reports by Smith that 
the 5th Armored is low in morale and discipline.  I am convinced that 
he is doing a good job.  Before the Division went on this housekeeping 
duty---and I kicked to the limit of my ability to keep it from going---
Oliver spoke to every man, telling him that whether it was pleasant or 
not, it was a vital duty and they must perform it.  Since then, he has 
spent his whole time inspecting the various units and from everything I 
hear, the Division is doing an excellent job. 
The only two places I can think that the reports came from were 
from R. O. Barton, who commands the 4th Division, and who moved into an 
area recently vacated by one of his own battalions.  It was dirty, and 
as the 5th Armored Division got there at the same time as Barton did, 
there was not time to clean it prior to his arrival.  He may have kicked, 
or General Kenner may have talked too much, without knowledge.  He often 
does.  This is his one fault.  One of the allegations made against the 
5th Armored Division was that there were a great many men AWOL.  In 
April, 40 men went AWOL, of whom 39 came back.  In every case this was 
due to the difficulty of movement in England.  At the present time there 
is only one man AWOL in the Division.
The Civil Affairs Section had a housewarming which we attended. 
May 25, 1944
Just read in the Daily Mail that the Senate Military Affairs

May 25, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Committee had tabled my promotion.  I hope they let the others through. 
If I get no more out of this war but a permanant Major Generalcy I will 
be a failure. 
General Hawley, Chief Surgeon SOS, came in and we had a good talk 
I think he is O.K.  He is coming to dinner and will spend the night.
May 26, 1944
General Paul Baade of the 35th Division reported in to me.  We also 
had the chief nurses of the First Army Group and the WVS for lunch. 
They are both Majors. 
I am leaving in the morning to see the air control system and the 
briefing of a bomber raid.  I took a flight in an L-5 today. 
May 27, 1944
Flew to Northolt Airfield and motored to Uxbridge, which is the
Tactical Air Force Command Post.  I saw Conyngham and was shown how the 
system works.  There was quite a lot of eyewash -- the control room is 
60 feet underground.  We then flew to a place in East Anglia to visit 
the 354th Fighter Group of P-51's and saw them get in from a mission. 
Brigadier General O. P. Weyland, who commands the XIX Tactical Air 
Support, which works for the Third Army, asked me to talk to both officers 
and men and to stress teamwork. 
We next drove to the Wing Headquarters (two Groups) commanded by 
Colonel B.M. Hovey and looked at a lot of installations.  They seem to 
have everything they possess in vans.  We then drove to the 303d Fighter 
Group, P-47's.  This outfit had failed in an attack on a bridge at ROUEN 
this morning, so were going to take off again.  I saw the orders issued 
by the use of a map and an enlarged photo of the target area thrown on

May 27, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
a screen.  I consider this method of issuing orders extremely good.  It 
was also interesting to see that the Colonel, just promoted from Lt. 
Colonel, was to lead the attack in person in the first plane.  Most of 
these men had flown in about 18 missions.  Their faces were tense, but 
not too much so.  The 52 planes took off by pairs in some 7 1/2 minutes, - 
a great piece of administrative discipline. 
The soldiers all seemed to have cameras and all taking pictures of 
me.  I feel sure that, as a result of today, we've added greatly to the 
entente between the ground and air forces. 
At lunch a perfectly strange Lt. Colonel came up and asked me to 
autograph a copy of "Soldier's Burial", which I wrote in the last war 
and which he said his daughter had secured from Little Bea.  I read it 
over to see if it was o.k. and did as he asked. 
We flew back to Peover. 
May 28, 1944
When I returned last night I found General Kenner, now Chief Medical 
Inspector for General Eisenhower, here.  We had a long talk. Tonight 
General Gaffey is taking Kenner and me to dinner at the Bells of Peover. 
Just as we were leaving, Colonel  Bagby of the Air Corps, on the 
staff of Leigh-Mallory, came by.  He is a civilian whom we knew in Africa. 
He seemed to be very much interested in selling us the idea of putting 
on the "Swordhilt"1 operation and getting me to express an opinion, but as 
he had no credentials, Gaffey and Gay wouldn't commit themselves, and I 
didn't any more than speak to him.
May 29, 1944
Kenner left this morning.  Spoke to all Corps and Army troops in 
1  Operation Ju landings in Norway - a diversion -

May 29, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
this vicinity, and at the end of the speech, had all field officers
present themselves and gave them a special talk.  I emphasized that it 
was the military duty of the Medical Corps to get men back to the front 
and that serious sick and wounded should be separated from the lightly 
wounded ones, not only to keep up manpower but to reassure the others. 
At dinner we had General Walker, XX Corps, and his Chief of Staff, 
Colonel W. A. Collier; General Haislip of the XV Corps with his Chief of 
Staff, Colonel Pearson Menoher; General Cook of the XII Corps with his 
Chief of Staff, Colonel R. J. Canine; General Middleton of the VIII Corps 
with his Chief of Staff, Colonel [Ralph] Cyrus H. Searcy; General Weyland and myself, 
all of whom are southerners.  Present also were General Gaffey and 
General Gay.  The other member of the mess ate outside. 
After dinner we had quite an informal talk.  The only point I tried 
to stress was that, in case of doubt, follow the old Confederate maxim 
of "Marching to the sound of guns."  I believe the dinner was very satisfactory. 
May 30, 1944 
Lt. General W. H. Simpson, now commanding the Ninth U. S. Army, 
and his Chief of Staff, General J.E. Moore, arrived at 1430 and we had 
a guard of honor.  After supper we gave them the short briefing, and as 
Colonel Maddox was absent, I took the G-3 part on myself.  I did this 
with malice aforethought because I know that General Simpson trusts 
too much to his staff and does not know what is going on, so I thought 
it was a good idea for him to see that I did.  It had the desired result. 
He was quite impressed by the fact that I could also be my own G-3 --- 
of course I always am.

May 31, 1944
Simpson and I left at 0800 for Headquarters XII Corps.  Codman 
came with us.  General Moore followed in second car.  I spoke to all 
Corps and Army troops in the area stressing the need of getting men 
back to the front.  At 1445 Codman and I drove to Headquarters First Army 
at Bristol.  Bradley and Hodges were there and we had a very useful
evening.
I forgot to mention that this morning Lee phoned stating that he 
would arrive in Peover, and then be at Headquarters VIII Corps.  I sent 
him a note saying that I could not meet him, as I was busy.  What he is 
doing is putting on a tactical show when he actually does not know the 
level of supplies in his own SOS.  It is very unfortunate that he both 
commands the SOS and acts a Deputy Theater Commander.  He is good for 
neither. 
June 1, 1944
The beginning of a fateful month.  Bradley went over all his final 
plans with me this morning.  He is much more cheerful than he was, and 
if everything moves as planned, there will be nothing left for me to do. 
Naturally I hope something turns up. 
Bradley and I left at 1530 and flew to Portsmouth to see General 
Montgomery, who lives at Southwick.  General Montgomery, Bradley and I 
had tea and then we went to his office, and without the aid of any 
staff officers, went over the plans.  Montgomery was especially interested 
in the operations of the Third Army and it was very fortunate that, two 
nights ago, I had rehearsed the whole thing for General Simpson, so I 
was very fluent.  He said twice to Bradley, "Patton should take over for 
the Brittany, and possibly for the Rennes Operation."

June 1, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
After supper we had in General M.C. Dempsey, commanding the 
Second British Army, and General H.D.G. Crerar, commanding the Canadian 
Army.  I was quite interested in General Montgomery's indirect approach. 
The official meeting of the four Army Commanders and De Guingand, Chief 
of Staff for General Montgomery, took place at this time. 
General Dempsey had the Corps in Sicily which failed to take Catania. 
He is not very impressive looking, and I take him to be a yes-man.  The 
Canadian is better, but not impressive.  De Guingand is very clever but 
is extremely nervous and continuously twists his long, black oily hair 
into little pigtails aboutthe size of a match.  General Montgomery 
was very anxious to get the exact location of all Command Posts on D Day,
and also the succession of command down to, and including, the third 
generation.  The estimate here is that the Germans will have four divisions 
and 700 tanks at least 200 of which are small Renaults, against 
us on D Day, and up to 1800 tanks on D plus 1 if all goes as planned.  
However, it never does go as planned.  In fact no operation I have undertaken 
would have succeeded had the G-2 estimate of any enemy potentiality 
been 50% correct.  We will have some 600 tanks ashore by dark on D Day. 
During our first conversation with General Montgomery, he called 
someone in London on the telephone -- I think it was General Ismay -- and 
told him to dissuade the Prime Minister from visiting him on Sunday.  
Refering to this conversation he said, "If Winnie comes, he'll not only 
be a great bore but also may well attract undue attention here.  Why in 
hell doesn't he go and smoke his cigar at Dover Castle and be seen with 
the Lord Mayor?  It would fix the Germans attention to Calais."
At dinner, General Montgomery produced a betting book and asked me 

[*In Montgomery ?*]
June 1, 1944 (cont'd p. 3)
whether or not England would be at war again in ten years after the 
close of the present war.  He bet she would not, therefore, to be a 
sport, I had to bet she would.  Also his Quartermaster offered to bet 
me $40.00 that an American horse would not win the next Grand National.  
In order to stick up for my country I had to risk the $40.00.  The only 
chance is that, since England has bred no horses during the war, American 
horses may have a chance.  When the port was passed, General Montgomery 
toasted the four Army Commanders.  Nobody did anything about it, so I 
said, "As the oldest Army Commander present, I would like to propose a 
toast to the health of General Montgomery and express our satisfaction 
in serving under him."  The lightning did not strike me.  After dinner 
we gambled in a simple way.  At first I won too much but finally succeeded 
in finishing a slight loser.  I have a better impression of Monty 
than I had. 
June 2, 1944
At breakfast told Monty goodbye.  He said, "I had a good time and 
now we understand each other."  Left by air for Bristol at 0830 and flew 
over the lines of an ancient British camp and also a Roman camp on the 
adjacent hills.  Perhaps some old battle.  Codman and I then drove to 
Marlborough, the Headquarters of the XX Corps and then to Moreton-on-
Marsh to address Corps and Army troops.  We then drove to Sennybridge 
in Wales where we have 30 battalions of artillery doing firing.  We spent 
the night at a British camp with Lt. Colonel H. H. Gardiner, who is a 
very charming gentleman.  Hodges will be on the "Achenar" from tonight 
on.  Bradley will be on the "Augusta" Saturday night.  Montgomery's 
command post will be at Grande Campe on, and after, D plus 2.

June 3, 1944
Starting at 0800 we inspected battery positions.  They were well 
dug in and camouflaged, but the guns were too close together.  At 1030 
I spoke to all the officers and the senior non-commissioned officers of 
Corps and Army Artillery.  Also to Major General Halsted, British 
Commander of the Bristol area.  At the close of all talks, I always have 
the field officers stay over for more personal and informal conversation. 
After lunch we saw firing by the Corps Artillery under General 
Ott, using forward observers, airplanes and sound ranging.  It was 
not too good because they too too long to switch from one target to the 
other.  I will send General Gaffey down to pep them up. 
Flew back to Peover to dinner.  Nothing had happened except we have 
to provide 2,000 men for prisoner of war escort.  Apparently Lee and 
company were caught wholly flat-footed. 
June 4, 1944
All of us went to church.  I am awfully restless and wish I were 
leading the assault.  When I visited the XII Corps on the 31st I saw a 
British 2-inch mortar with a range from zero to 500 yards.  This should 
be a valuable weapon in conjunction with our 60-mm.  because that instrument 
will not shoot short enough, and so we have a zone from zero to 
about 500 yards in which we can get no vertical fire. 
June 5, 1944
Today might be D Day.  I listened to the radio at 0600, but no news. 
In fact there has been no news all day.  I called Hughes and asked him 
to get off a radio of congratulations to Alexander, Keyes, and Clark on 
their success in Italy.
At 0900 we received a report signed Eisenhower to the effect:

June 5, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
"Enemy intelligence, no change.  Bombarding forces still at sea.  Ships 
and craft in assault force at anchor, waiting.  Convoy proceeding according 
to plan.  U. S. LST, No. 2498, sunk off Portland Bill 1600. 
4th of June no casualties."
I think that this means that the attack has been postponed until 
tomorrow.  Bradly hoped that this would be the case because the tide 
situation on the 6th is better than that of this morning, and gives more 
time for daylight naval bombardment.  I still believe in night attacks. 
June 6, 1944
The war is on.  At 0700 the BBC announced that the German radio 
reported Allied landing boats from west of Le Havre to the Chebourg 
Peninsula.  It is a nice bright day for a battle.  I hope I get in before 
it's all over.  Al the reports that we have, state that things are 
going well.  Our troops--that is, British paratroops--are in Caen and 
British tanks are reported nearing that town.  Fighting also reported 
on the Cherbourg-St. Lo Road, at (103-882) which must be the U. S. 
Airborne Troops. 
I have horrible feelings that the fighting will be over before I 
get in but I know this is not so, as destiny means me to be in. 
There is a report that all 23 bridges of the Seine west of Paris 
are out as the result of our bombardment.  Of course, these bridges can 
be promptly replaced by rafts, or pontoons, if the Germans want to do so. 
I feel sure that all the so-called information we get over the radio is 
imaginary, as, from my previous experiences in landings, I know that 
were I on the beach I would not know a damn thing at this time of the 
operation, so how can the commentators know anything?

June 6, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
The Prime Minister and the King both made fine speeches on the 
landing.  We failed to pick up Mr. Roosevelt's speech.  I started to 
pack up my clothes a little bit, always hoping, I suppose, that someone 
will get killed and I will have to go. 
General Charles Hines, Chief of the Third Army Anti-air Artillery, 
spent the night. 
June 7, 1944
Radio still full of platitudes.  We hear that Omaha Beach 1 in front 
of VII Corps is giving trouble.  It is a bad beach with a wide lagoon 
behind it.  Until it is taken Cherbourg can't be attacked.  Any delay 
there will be very bad for the whole operation, but we will not get a 
good picture of what is going on until tomorrow or the next day. 
I have just found that the trouble is at Utah 2 and not Omaha beach.  
If they stick there it will leave a gap between us and the British. 
Went for a drive in an M-29 snowbuggy --- a sort of full track peep 
that can swim.  I drove it.  It might be useful in flooded areas.  Began 
to pack seriously, sorting out different things.  Time certainly drags, 
it is only 1500 and seems 2000.  [*Patton has the names OMAHA , UTAH
the wrong way round.*]
June 8, 1944
We have a staff meeting daily at 1100 and the G-2 and G-3 describe 
the situation as we get it, but the facts are very meager and from 18 to 
24 hours old.  Apparently things are not going too well and one gets the 
impression that people are satisfied to be holding on, rather than advancing. 
There will probably be some sort of a major operation in the 
morning. 
June 9, 1944
Time drags terribly.  Things are clearly going badly on V Corps
1 The St. Laurent beach.
2 The Varreville beach.

June 9, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
front at Omaha beach.  I think the British are over stressing their 
successes.
Went over the papers in the case of Lt. Colonel Whitside Miller. 
I fear he will have to be reduced to his permanent rank and sent home.  
I sent the Third Army Inspector General down to have a final look.  I 
came to this decision very reluctantly after I had the question carefully 
examined by the Third Army Inspector and had also talked to 
Colonel Smith, Miller's Tank Group Commander.  Had Colonel Smith used 
due diligence, Miller would not have made as big a fool of himself as 
he has.
General Holmes and Colonel Ryan of the Civil Government came up to 
give us the dope on civil government.  It is pretty hazy but will have 
to work.  DeGaulle is making a mess of things. 
Had Colonel Smith, Tank Group Commander, in to give him hell on 
not finding out about the Miller business sooner. 
June 10,)1944 (Dplus 4)
There is still no information on either the 7:00 or 8:00 radio.  I 
think that today, or possibly yesterday, was a very critical time.  Have 
been wearing my shoulder holster ever since D Day so as to get myself into 
the spirit of the part.  I suppose I am one of the few emotional 
soldiers who have to build up a role, but I have always hoped to be a 
hero, and now may be the time to attain my ambition.  Talked to the 
Public Relations Officers of the Corps and Divisions and told them how 
important their function is.  I want credit to go to the soldiers and 
junior officers.  To this end they are to see that the correspondents 
get news of the actual front. 

June 10, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Got an order from ETO dated 6 June, AG 381.099 Subject: "Organization
and Command of U. S. Forces", showing the stages of the operation 
and specifying that the 21st Army Group takes the northern group of 
armies and FUSAG gets the southern group, that is First and Third American 
Armies, when General Eisenhower takes personal command on the Continent. 
This is a very important paper. 
June 11, 1944
At 1030 Gay, Codman and I went to Peover Chapel and presented Vicar 
Green and the two Wardens with an American flag and a bronze plate inscribed:
"This flag is placed here to commemorate the fact that the 
Commanding General and his Staff and Member of the American Third Army 
worshipped here during the Second World War, 1944."
To avoid any chance of publicity, only the Vicar and the two Wardens 
were present.  The flag and plate will not be put in place until the 
existence of the Third Army is published. 
June 12, 1944
I went to Salisbury Plain by air to test the 76mm tank gun.  This is 
an extremely accurate weapon, very easy to control, but kicks up such a 
blast and quantity of smoke that you cannot see the tracer on the AP
shell until you have reached a range of 1500 yards. Since you get no 
burst from an AP, it is vital to see the tracer, and in the fighting in 
the hedgerows of France that tracer must be seen under 200 yards. 
This gun was developed when we were fighting in the desert.  Like 
many of our developments, it has come into existence too late.  However, 
since we must utilize the weapon, we have decided to put it in the separate 
tank battalions.  We have also asked for 500 replacement tanks, 

June 12, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
M-4's with .75's.
There is a great deal of talk from France that the .75 mm. will not 
penetrate the Panther tank nor the Tiger tank.  I have personal knowledge 
that they will penetrate the Tiger and, I think, the Panther.
June 13, 1944
Told the Chief of Staff to have the staff ready to give a briefing 
on the present state of battle, the general plans for use of the Third 
Army and special plans on "Swordhilt" and "Chastity". 1
I went to see an exhibition of British weapons at Manchester.  All 
the officers and soldiers connected with the exhibition are wounded and 
not useful for further front line service. 
June 14, 1944
We had a formation at 1100 in front of Peover Hall, presenting the 
Third Army Colors and having them blessed.  Slept in my truck last night 
for the first time.  OSS sent a film of the current landing, which was 
very good.  I had the staff make a dry run on the new briefing in which 
we pick up the situation as it exists, and carry on.  It was not successful
so I will have it repeated in the morning. 
June 15, 1944
The second dry run on the briefing was better.  Lady Leese asked 
Mrs. Beck, Colonel Codman and me to see a play in Manchester called 
"Africa Star".  It was very funny and excessively vulgar.  At the end of 
the play the leading man, Leslie Henson, made a curtain speech and said 
the wife of the Commander of the British Eighth Army and the Commander of 
the American Seventh Army in Sicily were in the audience. Everybody

1 Code names for operations of 3rd Army 
at - SWORD HILT: connected with FORTITUDE
CHASTITY: seizure of one of Britany ports
UH. 1916

June 15, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
clapped for a long time.  We then went backstage to meet the cast, and 
when we came out to get in the car there was quite a crowd, all clapping 
and cheering.  Such is fame.  We took the ladies to a very nice dinner, 
arranged by Codman, at the Midlands Hotel and stopped at Tabley House
and saw the Leicester-Warrens, who are charming and completely dried up. 
Lady Leese is their daughter.  I told them about Mrs. Constantine-Smith 
and they were much amused.  She is a strong Peace Party person, and is 
a card.
June 16, 1944 (D plus 10)
Nothing.
June 17, 1944 (D plus 11)
General Silvester, Commanding the 7th Armored Division called to 
report in.  General Gaffey and Colonel Codman flew to Hull to inspect 
the 2nd French Armored Division.  They think it will do well.  Just heard 
that Major General Barton, 4th Division, and Major General McKelvie, 
90th Division, had been relieved by Collins for failure to go fast 
enough. 1  Also that all spare colonels in First Army had been expended 
and we had to send four of ours. 
I doubt either the expediency or justice of such wholesale beheadings. 
It creates fear and lack of self-confidence.  I once read a book called, 
"Lincoln or Lee," by an English officer, General Maurice, in which he 
showed that while Lee practically never relieved a general, but finished 
the war with those whom he started, Lincoln changed every time he had a 
failure, hoping for a miracle.  Lee, on the other hand, was content to 
know the capacities, or lack of capacity, of his generals and used them 
accordingly. 
1 Gen. Barton was still in command of his division on July 6. B.A.P.
He was sent home about Dec 27 '44 after 
the Bulge - for rest & temperation.

June 17, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Colonel Tattersall, who runs the exhibition of weapons, called. 
Gaffey and I called on the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who spent 
the night with friends at Knutsford.  I will send him some cars and an 
escort to take him to Burtonswood Airport in the morning.  He seems unnecessarily 
unassuming. 
June 18, 1944 (D plus 12)
Just heard on the radio at 0800 that the 9th Division has reached 
the west coast of Cherbourg Peninsula near Lessay.  Hope so.  I dreamed 
of Paddy Flint last night about 0300.  Very vivid --- we were sitting on 
a roof mending a flagpole with concrete, and had some cooked ducks in a 
basket, which apparently we intended to eat while sitting on the roof. 
What this has to do with crossing the peninsula, I don't know. 
Yesterday I asked for Col T. Q. Donaldson, Col Bob Sears, and again for 
Col Gordon Rogers as extra colonels.
The following data on the current operations in Normandy is of 
interest.  The period covered is from the 6th to the 12th of June for 
the American Forces and from the 6th to the 10th for the British Forces. 
CASUALTIES  U. S.  BRITISH
Killed            1,503   776
Wounded     8,163   3,239
Missing        4,225  2,854
Total           13,891  6,869
It must be remembered that during this period the size of the two 
armies was identical.  Prisoners of war captured as of June 15, 1944:
U. S., 8,513; British, 7,052.

June 18, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
Further data in the Italian Operations from September to June in 
losses are as follows:
CASUALTIES   U. S.   BRITISH   FRENCH
Killed          11,368      5,017        3,943
Wounded    43,487    23,068     16,000
Missing         8,723      9,740       1,268
Total            63,578    37,825     21,219
Prisoners     20,978     5,942        5,942
of War

In this operation the British and American forces were about equal. 
The French were about one-half of either of the others.  It is interesting 
to note that the proportion of killed to wounded is as 1 to 4 in 
Italy; in Normandy it is nearer to 1 to 5.
Left for London by plane at 1630 and arrived at 1800 and saw Hughes. 
Inspected a place where one of the pilotless planes hit.  It took all the 
leaves and many of the small branches off the trees for at least an acre, 
broke windows for some two blocks each way, and destroyed a large house. 
The destruction varies from the center outwards.  A large monastery, or 
nunnery, near where the bomb hit was obliterated, and the houses for 
about a block away had the windows broken.  We heard quite a few during 
the night.  The plane in flight sounds like a normal plane with a bad 
cold.  When the noise stops there is a pause of about 10 seconds, and 
the explosion.  The detonation is not very loud, but this may be due to 
the fact that they were not very close. 
Saw a buzz bomb pass over the end of Mount Street just after breakfast. 
It looked very much like a small Spitfire and was going extremely 
fast.  They are said to do 400 m.p.h.  This bomb hit some distance away. 
Shortly afterwards, one hit very close in Oxford Street.


June 18, 1944 (cont'd p. 3)
I went to Headquarters FUSAG, where they know nothing.  I ordered a 
pair of trousers at Weatherills.  Later I helped decorate W. H. Simpson 
with the Legion of Merit.  Lee Scowden, Hulen 1, Hughes 2, Stearins 3 and 
myself, all members of the Class of 1909, were there. 
Air Marshal Lee-Mallory is very anxious to see me, so I called on 
Smith to see if I should go.  He said to do so unless I felt Mallory 
should call on me, as I am the senior.  Such a thought had never entered 
my head.  He said that if I did go I should listen carefully to what 
Mallory said and then tell him.  The visit did not come off, as Mallory 
could not be there at the time I could.  I think he is trying to get 
me interested in some airborne operations, and as I care very little for 
General Browning, the British Airborne man, I was glad not to see him. 
I think these planes will get peoples' nerves in time.
June 20, 1944 (D plus 14)
Still we are not in it.  Codman got back from London where Harkins
says that they propose to put 4 corps of 4 divisions each in the First 
Army.  That leaves little for me but I still hope for the best.  "Hope
Springs Eternal".  
June 21, 1944 (D plus 15)
Flew to Tidwith and spoke to the entire 7th Armored Division.  Later, 
talked intimately to all field officers.  The Division gives a very 
favorable impression.  I talked to all enlisted men who had served under 
me previously.  There were about 250 of them from the old Second Armored 
Division, so I had them to one side and had a little talk with them. 
They were mostly senior non-commissioned officers and glad to see me.
1 Col FRANK Hulen Engr (classmate of Gen Patton)
2 Col. Thruston Hughes
3 Col. C. P. Stearns

June 22, 1944 (D plus 16)
Colonel Nixon, of the Ordnance Department, gave me some very interesting
data today. It is a comparison between our estimates for the
operation in France, which were made without knowledge of what actually
happened in Italy, as compared with what actually did happen in Italy
from the 23d of April to the 9th of June. 
Rounds per Gun per Day
Type     Rounds     No. of Guns     Our Estimate
3-inch     7.7     360     42
105     87.4     530     59
155-how.     41.9     160     33.3
155 gun     33.4     96     33.3
8-inch how.     27.7     48     33.3
8-inch gun     27.8     4     25.0
240-how.     23.3     12     25.0
81-mm.mortar     21.3     696     25.0

With the exception of the 3-inch gun, which is an anti-tank weapon,
our estimates were very close to actual and were very much above what
ETOUSA is making for the operation in Normandy. I am sure that their
estimates for ammunition are too low, especially in the case of 81-mm
mortar shells. This may have very serious results. Called Hughes on
the Scrambler[*1*] and gave him data. 
Made out efficiency reports for Corps Commanders, and Gaffey, Gay, 
Codman and Stiller.
June 23, 1944 (D plus 17)
Nothing new. General Gullion[*2*] spent the night. He had a British
female, Major McDonald, with him and I sent her to the Hotel. She had
the largest legs I ever saw that were not fat. He has not aged a bit
since he was a cadet, although he is 64, nor, in my opinion has he
gained any intelligence. When he graduated he stood at the bottom of his

1 Security phone
2 Brig Gen A. W. Gullion

June 23, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
class.
General Gay and Captain Murnane left for France this morning.
June 24, 1944 (D plus 18)
Took occasion to compliment the staff on their work at the staff 
conference this morning.  I do this from time to time.  As a matter of 
fact, I consider the staff of the Third Army better than that of the 
Seventh Army.  The top men in each section are practically the same, 
and the number twos are better than we had in the Seventh.
June 25, 1944 (D plus 19)
Hear that Cherbourg has entered, but that fighting still goes 
on in the streets.  Had intended to fly to Tavistock in Cornwall, 
Headquarters 35th Division, but the weather was too bad so we drove, 
leaving at 1545 and arriving at 2400.  It is about 350 miles by road. 
In the morning we will meet Ike at Exeter.  Codman and I had dinner at 
Bristol.  It is pretty badly destroyed. 
June 26, 1944 (D plus 20)
Drove to Exeter and met Ike, his boy John, Kay and Lt. Colonel Gault, 
his British aide.  We drove all over Cornwall, stopping to inspect units 
in the 35th (Kansas) Division.  Ike made an inspection by walking through 
the ranks and talking briefly to numerous men.  He tries to find points 
of common interest with them and is clever at it.  Then he gets the loud 
speaker and tells the soldiers to fall out and gather around.  He talks 
very familiarly to them but uses I, mine and me too much, usually exhorting 
them to fight well, "So that we can end this war and I can go home 
and go fishing."  "Fabius back to his plow."  The men seem to like it 
and usually clap and cheer a little.  It is the style of an office seeker

June 26, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
rather than that of a soldier.  Two movie and two still photographers 
accompany him and take shots of his conversations and get the names of 
the men he is talking to.  I presume these are later sent to the home 
town of that person, which I think has a very good effect. His theory 
is that by this method one gets on a level with the men.  A Commander 
cannot command and be on the same level.  At least that is my opinion. 
I try to arouse fighting emotion --- he tries votes --- for what?
However he was very pleasant.  I had dinner with him on his special 
train and slept on it, getting off tomorrow at Salisbury at 0550.
June 27, 1944 (D plus 21)
General Walker, Commanding General XX Corps, met me at Salisbury 
and we drove to see a firing problem by the Corps and Division Artillery 
of the XX Corps.  I saw a 240mm Howitzer for the first time.  It throws 
a 360 pound shell 25,000 yards but weighs 50 tons and is not very accurate. 
There are only 2 guns to a battery and each battery has to have a scoop-
shovel to make the emplacements.  It also has to be moved on two vehicles.
The gun positions were well selected, dug in and camouflaged, but 
the guns were too close together and generally in line.  The local defense 
weapons were not out far enough in spite of all my directions on 
the subject.  There was only one dummy batter, very badly done.  There 
was no way to quickly remove the camouflage nets in case they catch fire. 
Colonel Condor's group was an exception.  He was with me in the desert 
and in every fight to Messina.  I was disgusted with the rest and told 
them so. 
Flew back to Peover. 

June 28, 1944 (D plus 22)
Inspected the Franch 2d Armored Division near Hull.  We had hoped 
to fly but it was too thick, so we drove.  It took nearly 4 hours. 
Wherever we went there were guards of honor.  The equipment was in good 
shape, the men clean and well turned out.  The Mess is filthy and there 
were six men to a small pyramidal tent with no beds nor mattresses.  All 
the men were well and anxious to fight.  I wore my two French pins and 
they gave me another.  Gaffey and Codman were along.  Called on the 
Leicester-Warren's to say goodbye.  General Cook spent the night.  All 
the trucks leave in the morning at 0600.
June 29, 1944 (D plus 23)
Took my extra clothes to the Stockdales at Fern Hill, Alderley Edge, 
Chesire.  We gave them a barrel of Marsala Wine which Colonel Sears had 
captured in Sicily and sent to us.  We also gave some to the Leicester-
Warrens.
We hear from Harkins that FUSAG wants to run a show scheduled for 
Third Army, as a task force run by them.  Gaffey went to London to try 
and stop it. 
June 30, 1944
Took off in a B-26 for Breamor House (Hampshire), arriving at 1330 
at an operational airfield with a group of P-47s on it.  They have been 
up daily and have had only one casualty, and that from Anti-air.  Breamor 
is said to be the finest example of Elizabethan architecture in England. 
It is huge.  About 100 years ago it was gutted by fire and all the paneling 
burned.  Some of it has since been replaced.  There is an old Saxon 
Church near here; that is, there are fragments of a Saxon Altar.  The 
present church is built out of bits of flint and is at least a thousand

June 30, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
years old.  It is the sameconstruction as the Chateau Gaillard in 
Normandy.  I was very pleased when I spotted the original Saxon window 
and afterwards confirmed this by reading a book on the church.  The 
owner, Sir E. Hulse, is a brigadier in the RAF in the far east.  The 
family is broke.
July 1, 1944 (D plus 25)  
Dropped a blackout cover on my toe and will probably lose the nail. [to heal]
Fortunately, Sgt. Meeks' feet are bigger than mine by several sizes, so 
I am wearing one of his boots, which keeps the pressure off my toe. 
Harkins states that we will not go to France until the end of July.  
This is a very bad disappointment. 
The Montague girl, the daughter-in-law of the man who rents Breamor 
House, has just been killed in an automobile accident.  We sent some 
flowers and a car to take her father and mother-in-law to the scene of 
the accident.  She ran into one of our SOS trucks.  Her husband, who is 
Montague's son, is fighting in Italy, and the parents have futile hopes 
that he can get back to the funeral.  They asked me my opinion, and I 
could not be very encouraging. 
July 2, 1944 (D plus 26)
We were called up over the telephone this morning from the BUCO
(Build UP Command Office) Headquarters stating that we 
leave for France on the 5th.  I do not unterstand the significance of 
this, but it is apparently correct. 
Hughes came down to lunch and was as pleased as we were.  Wrote a 
paper, which he will get to Ike, showing the striking similarity between 
the Schlieffen Plan 1 and the situation we now occupy in Normandy.  All
1  World War I German Plan for Invasion 
of France - (Pivot & Maneuver)

July 2, 1944 (cont'd p. 2)
we have to do is to change the pivot from Alsace to Caen, and you have 
it.  By landing at Morlaix with two infantry and one armored division, 
we can make a rear attack on the Germans confronting the First U. S. 
Army, and then driving on to the line Alencon-Argentan, and thereafter 
on Evreux or Chartres, depending on circumstances, we will really pull 
a coup.  On the other hand, if we play safe and keep on attacking with 
articulated lines driving to the south, we will die of old age before 
we finish.  I dressed my paper up with the names of Scharnhorst, 
Clausewitz and Moltke so as to catch Ike's eye.  I hope he reads it.  I 
have no ambition to be credited with the idea so long as I get the 
pleasure of executing it.  It is a good paper.  However, the same thing 
could be effected by placing one or two armored divisions abreast and 
going straight down the road, covering the leading elements with air
bursts.  I am sure that such a method, while probably expensive in tanks, 
due primarily to mines, would insure our breaking through to Avranches from 
our present position in not more than two days.  This plan would have the 
advantage of not requiring setting up an amphibious operation.  On the 
other hand, it is so bold that it would never be approved. 
July 3, 1944
Hughes left and I had Walker, Cook and Haislip for lunch and final 
instructions.  General Miller, British, who used to be Alex's "Q" G-4 movements 
in Sicily also came.  Called General Lee at 1430 on phone to ask for an 
increase of 6 officers and 63 enlisted men for Corps Headquarters.  The 
number of officers has been doubled and the number of men increased by 
60% with no added housekeeping help.  When I phoned I heard Lee tell his 
secretary that he did not wish to be disturbed at a conference.  She then

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