Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945 to Stockdales re: Italian & German campaigns, Patton's death [decimalized]

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Collection of materials written to Rene and Frank Stockdale, with a signed and dated 3-star general's flag (54 x 72.4 cm). The letters, written to two personal friends in Britain during the last eighteen months of World War II, chronicle Patton as his Third Army swept through Italy, France and Germany. The earliest letter dates just twenty days before Patton was appointed commander of the Third Army. The correspondence ends with a hopeful letter (18 Dec 1945) written by Major General Hugh J. Gaffey just three days before Patton's death from an automobile accident. Also includes as collateral 2 envelopes of which one is free-franked by Patton (postmark 6/15/45).

GLC#
GLC06760
Type
Header Record
Date
1944/01-1945/12
Author/Creator
Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945
Title
to Stockdales re: Italian & German campaigns, Patton's death [decimalized]
Place Written
Various Places
Pagination
29 items + 2 collateral envelopes
Primary time period
Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945
Sub-Era
World War II
Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945
Military History
Global History and Civics
Foreign Affairs
World War II
Soldier's Letter

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Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Renee & Frank Stockdale re: thanks for "the many courtesies"

1944/07/04

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Thanking the Stockdales for "the many courtesies which you two have rendered me and... the Third Army."

GLC06760.01
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Renee Stockdale re: a battle involving 15 US Divisions

1944/01/02

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Written twenty days before being appointed commander of the Third Army. He notes concerning that battle, involving 15 United States Army Divisions "all but two attacking. Tonight... we may lick him."

GLC06760.02
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to [Renee & Frank Stockdale] re: thanks for letter, secrecy in correspondence

1944/07/15

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Thanking Renee Stockdale for her letter received, and stating that "owing to the requirements of secrecy," he is "unable to write more."

GLC06760.03
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Renee Stockdale re: asking her to send his three stars

1944/09/19

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

GLC06760.04
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Renee Stockdale re: sending piece of parachute silk

1944/10/11

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Sending Renee Stockdale a souvenir piece of parachute silk "given to me by a member of a crew of one of our bombers which was forced down"

GLC06760.05
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Renee & Frank Stockdale re: frustration at not being able to fight the enemy

[1944]/10/18

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

"Just a note... to say that the Third Army is not dead just sleeping.... We are fed up with not fighting."

GLC06760.06
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: beginning of major assault on the Seigfried line

1944/11/30

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

"We have just started an assault on the Seigfried line this minute...." The "Seigfried line" protected the German homeland from the west. With written postscript.

GLC06760.07
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: battle of the Bulge, expecting German withdrawal

1945/01/03

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

A prophetic note, preceding by one day the German withdrawal of the 6th SS Panzer Division from the Battle of the Bulge. Patton writes in part: "We have been attacking him and I believe that we now have him on the run."

GLC06760.08
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: latest operation, liberating towns and capturing Germans

1945/03/29

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton writes in part: "Our last operation has been the best... we have taken 6000 odd square miles of Germany, liberated or captured 3000 towns... captured over 140,000 prisoners and killed or wounded over 90,000 Germans, for the complete...

GLC06760.09
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: progress of 3d Army, now at the Danube

1945/05/04

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton writes in part: "As usual, the 3rd Army has been wiggling around like a snake.... Whoever said the Danube was blue is a damn liar." He notes that a "whole division surrendered to us this morning." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.10
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: dull peace; his request for transfer to Pacific rejected

1945/08/08

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Written shortly after the rejection of his request for transfer to the Pacific war (now that Germany had surrendered), Patton finds "Life here is very fatiguing, but not very exciting. I am going to... reviews and inspections... which takes a lot of...

GLC06760.11
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: campaigning

1944/08/06

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

(Out of order.) Patton writes that he cannot say where he is (due to confidentiality): "While it is impossible for me to give details... if you look carefully at a map you can guess damn well where it is." With envelope signed by Patton. With...

GLC06760.12
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Renee Stockdale re: news that Patton will be crippled from car accident

1945/12/18

Gaffey, Hugh J., 1895-1946

Conveying a surgeon's opinion that Patton would survive the injuries suffered in a car accident, although without the ability to walk. Gaffey writes in part "It seems unfair that a man who had gone through as much as he had during the war should be...

GLC06760.13
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: thanks for gift

1944/08/28

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Expressing his gratitude for a gift from the Stockdales and wishing Renee a "speedy recovery." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.14
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: tedium of waiting

1944/11/07

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton complains "this waiting has been tedious, but now we are about tot try to carry the ball some more." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.15
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: unable to visit

1945/01/26

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton promises to come visit, but must delay because "something happened the other day which means that we will keep on fighting violently." With envelope signed by Patton.

GLC06760.16
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: sending razor blades, looks forward to seeing

1945/02/27

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Sending extra razor blades (another item rationed) and says he is "looking forward to the times when we can again have our old-time evenings together...."

GLC06760.17
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: missed visit, business

1945/05/18

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton writes, slightly jocularly, "you nearly saw me yesterday as I was planning a surprise invasion..., then the last minite some things occurred in Germany and I had to come back at once."

GLC06760.18
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: rumor of his being knighted by the King

1945/10/02

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton mentions "a rumor that his Majesty the King may ask for my presence shortly to give me the KBE." Patton was not knighted.

GLC06760.19
Collection Item
Typed letter signed

to Frank Stockdale re: wishing a merry Christmas

1945/12/06

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945

Patton wishes the Stockdales "a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year." With envelope signed.

GLC06760.20