“My guest book, had I kept one, would be an envy to all lion hunters”
THE ALLIES had expected to have all of French North Africa in hand by the end of 1942, but now they looked forward to finishing the Tunisian campaign in the spring of ‘43. After that, what was to be done? Where should they make their next move in Europe? Should they continue their efforts in the Mediterranean area or launch a cross-Channel invasion? What about the conflicting claims of Giraud and De Gaulle and the future of France in the postwar world? How was the war on the European side of the conflict to be related to military endeavors elsewhere? How should the available resources in men and material be allocated among the various theaters of operation?
These were only some of the questions that required resolution. In order to find answers agreeable to both Allied partners – for the decisions would determine the course of Allied global strategy – Roosevelt and Churchill would meet in Casablanca with their military advisers in January 1943. They invited Joseph Stalin to attend, but he said he was too busy. The battle of Stalingrad had started in November and was reaching its climactic close.
The Casablanca Conference was code-named Symbol. Because the delegations from the United States and Great Britain were to be lodged in a suburb called Anfa, the meetings were sometimes called the Anfa Conference. As the local commander, Patton would be responsible for the billeting and feeding of the visitors, their security, and their comfort. He would take no part in the formal discussions of strategy.
Diary, January 8
Everett Hughes arrived this pm. I took him all around and he was most interested and complimentary. We had a long talk about the glamour boys. He fears that the senior partner is on his way out due to the knife work of the other, concerning whom he has the same ideas as I have. According to Everett, the General Staff at [Allied Force] Headquarters is purely theoretical and never inspects anything, the British are incompetent, the French mad, and no one commands anything. Devers had same idea.
A classmate of Patton’s, Brigadier General Hughes was a logistical expert on the ETOUSA staff in London who would soon be brought to North Africa. The North African Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (NATOUSA) was about to be established to deal with purely American rather than Allied matters. Eisenhower would be in nominal command of NATOUSA, and Hughes would be his deputy. Since Eisenhower was involved in Allied affairs, Hughes would in fact administer the ports, the receipt and distribution of supplies, and other like concerns. He would eventually be promoted to major general.
Hughes’ trip to Casablanca was perhaps connected with arrangements for the forthcoming Allied conference.
Diary, January 9
Geoff [Keyes] and I inspected the Anpha area in connection with Symbol. Everything is O.K. except that no arrangement has been made to take the French in. Gruenther is agreed with us that this should be done, but says that FDR and the PM [Prime Minister] both consider this as a conquered country – which it is not. The French have been told nothing and when they find out, as they will, it is going to take a hell of a lot of talk to restore their confidence. This is too bad and so terribly foolish. The British are pulling hell out of our leg and no one knows it. I believe they want to discredit the French with the Arabs so that after this war they can “acquire” French West and North Africa. The tragedy to me is that we will let them do it.
When Patton learned that Clark was going to put American troops at the port to make sure that the French guns “did not fire on Anpha,” he went to see Clark
and argued him out of the idea. I had to state that if it were done, I would request to be relieved. It would have been the crowning insult to the French and would have given the Nazis a wonderful propaganda weapon and roused the Arabs.
He had all the local unit commanders in and talked on the troop discipline to be maintained during the conference. He inspected the guard battalion.
“There is a great and very hush hush conference going on here, which I am not in – thank God,” he wrote Beatrice. “I think it is a mess as are many other things.”
Diary, January 14
Called on General G. C. Marshall and asked him to dinner . . . F.D.R. arrived by plane, met only by Secret Service. General Marshall came to dinner. Never asked a question and talked steadily about South Pacific. At dinner he got message to dine same night with A number 1 [the President], so left at 8:10.
Diary, January 15
Ike and [Harry] Butcher arrived at 11:30. I took them to Anpha and met Admiral King, who, when off duty, is most affable.
General Marshall asked me to have himself, King, Sir John Dill, and Mountbatten to dinner. All came but Marshall. I also had Somervell and Wedemeyer. We had a most interesting time and Lord Louis [Mountbatten] stayed late, talking combined operations. He is charming but not impressive. I think he got more from us than we got from him.
After I took him to hotel, Ike asked me to take him back to house, and he and I talked till 0130. He and Clarke are at outs, and he thinks his thread is about to be cut. Ike was his old self and listened. I told him he had to go “to the front.” He feels that he cannot, due to politics, [and] said he had suggested to Gen. Marshall that I be made deputy commanding general AFHQ and run the war [in Tunsia] while he runs the politics. Keyes will get a corps [if this arrangement came to be]. I xloubt if it comes out and am not sure I want [the] job.
Diary, January 16
Ike pinned second DSM on me at plane and repeated ideas on my being deputy commanding general.
Actually, Marshall had suggested this arrangement to Eisenhower, and as he flew back to Algiers, Eisenhower turned the idea over in his mind. He then discussed the matter with his staff, and on January 17, he told Marshall he was tentatively thinking of making the appointment. This would “allow me to use his great mental and physical energy in helping me through a critical period.” Eventually he decided against it.
Diary, January 16
Called on General Marshall who told me to see A-1 [the President] about Nogues and Sultan ...
Saw Harry Hopkins and A-1 and two sons for one and one half hours. A-1 most affable and interested. We got on fine. [Am] taking Nogues to see him at noon tomorrow.
Sir Dudley Pound [First Sea Lord – Admiral King’s British counterpart] and General Lord Brooke [Chief of the Imperial General Staff – Marshall’s counterpart], General Marshall and aide, Lieutenant Colonel [Frank] McCarthy, came to dinner. I walked home with Gen. Marshall . . .
Brooke is nothing but a clerk. Pound slept most of the time. The more I see of the so-called great the less they impress me – I am better.
Pound was already suffering the effects of a brain tumor, discovered somewhat later, and he would die that year.
Letter, Beatrice to GSP, Jr., January 17, 1943
Georgie [Devers] is in town while her beau is flying ground the [Nile] River . . . rumoring that he is to be made [Army] chief of staff. This could not be true – just wishful thinking on their parts ...
Last night I was invited to supper at Renie [Clark]V to hear some more of her love letters and meet the Fifth Army staff wives . . . I thought the wives were very good class and very nice.
Diary, January 17
Wilbur and I took Nogues to see A-1 and we all talked for about one and one-quarter hours, then went to see B-1 [Churchill]. B-1 took Nogues off by himself and later called us in. B-1 speaks the worst French I have ever heard, his eyes run, and he is not at all impressive. Nogues said he would much rather play with US as B-1 wanted the whole world run his way.
Clark had Giraud at house for lunch with Nogues et al. I hate lunch. Giraud is an old type Gaul with blue eyes and limited brains. [British] Admiral [Andrew B.] Cunningham [commanding the Allied naval forces under Eisenhower] is to stay with me. Clark will be there tonight – I am fed up.
Diary, January 18
We had special lunch for General Marshall and General Giraud, Clark, Keyes, Wilbur and I . . . General Marshall was very well pleased and said so. I saw Clark off at plane . . .
I was walking when Elliot Roosevelt called me to ride in car with A-1. Many pictures taken. A-1 was very affable. When I took him home, the P.M. holed me, and I told him I would get him for dinner. Two Scotland Yard men asked if they could guard the house – they did.
For dinner we had the P.M., Hopkins, General Marshall, Admiral Cunningham, Commander Thompson [aide to the Prime Minister]. General Marshall made me talk to the P.M. and we got on well. He strikes me as cunning rather than brilliant but with great tenacity . . . He is easily flattered – all of them are. Hopkins is very clever and intuitive – like a pilot fish for a shark. He did not drink excessively and smoked my last three good cigars. The putting of me so obviously with the P.M. may have some meaning.
Hopkins asked me how I would like to be an Ambassador. I said I would resign if I got such a job. He said I had shown such ability that they needed me. I still said I would resign and go fishing rather than take such a job.
Letter, GSP, Jr., to Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge, January 18,
I am very busily engaged in non-military activities . . .
I don’t know what the future holds in store for me, but I would rather be commanding the corps in Africa than be anything except a senator in the United States (you will note my tact in the foregoing remark, and you will further note that I have been accused of not having it. Spread the news.)
The other day His Majesty the Sultan presented me with the Grand Cross of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, which is the top flight order in this country. For formal evening wear you have a pumpkin-colored sash going across your manly bosom from right to left, with a large rosette and medal hanging from your left hip. For less formal occasions, you have a sunburst similar to that worn by Theda Bar a, except that she had to wear two. This is worn on the left side in the vicinity of the naval . . .
The citation has something about the fact that when I walk about in the evening, the lions are so frightened that they cower in the rear of their dens.
Diary, January 19
General Marshall... was very complimentary about lunch and also about appearance of command. Took Hopkins and Elliott Roosevelt shopping. F.D.R., Admiral Cooke, Generals Wedemeyer and Hull, Captain McCray, self, Keyes, Wilbur, and Gay had dinner at our house, very informal. They stayed till 11:30. Then F.D.R. talked to me in car while P.M. waited, for about 30 minutes. He really appeared as a great statesman.
Diary, January 20
F.D.R. wanted to visit harbor but Secret Service would not let him. They are a bunch of cheap detectives always smelling of drink.
Saw Hull, Wedemeyer, and Sir John Dill at hotel at breakfast. A new plan is being concocted. The chief idea seems to get a new staff – there are too many now ...
General Marshall, [Maj. Gen. Frank M.] Andrews, Clark for dinner . . . General Marshall gave monologue for two hours – Clark was very quiet.
Diary, January 21
Rode to Lyautey with Mr. Hopkins. He is extremely intelligent and very well informed. To my surprise he is quite war-like and is in favor of discipline. When we saw all the wounded and decorated men he called my attention to the similarity of the set of the mouth. I had known this for years but was surprised that he did.
Hopkins, Clark, F.D.R., and I had lunch alfresco . . . The pilot fish noted to me that nearly all the men killed were Anglo-Saxon. Clark left and had me ride back with F.D.R. Clark is trying to be nice but it makes my flesh creep to be with him.
Coming back we talked history and armor about which he knows a lot. F.D.R. says that in Georgia [Russia] there are Crusaders’ Castles intact and that hundreds of suits of armor exist. Then he got on to politics. He said that the only two men who could succeed him if he died were Hopkins and the Vice President and neither of them had any personality. He also discussed the P.M. to his disadvantage. Says India is lost and that Germany and Japan must be destroyed. He is worried about the American Legion after the war, and should be ...
Millions of pictures were taken and none for the glory of the troops, all for the glory of F.D.R., and for Clark when he could get a chance. It was very disgusting.
Must remember to get Chief Flat Foot Riley [head of the Secret Service] when time comes. Also F.B.I, needs to be slapped down. The country and army are in a hell of a fix and nothing is being done about it. People speak of Germany and Japan as defeated, and we have never even attacked them with more than a division.
Our troops put up a really fine appearance. I have never seen so many troops so well turned out or looking so fit. Will write a letter of congratulations to each unit.
Diary, January 22
Wilbur and I called for Nogues and took him to Grand Vizier’s house at Anpha where we met the Sultan, Prince Imperial, and Grand Vizier, and [Chief of] Protocol. Wilbur took Sultan, Grand Vizier, and Protocol to see President at 1940. Sultan had especially asked to see him before Churchill arrived. Crown Prince, Nogues, and I arrived at 2000. Churchill was there in a very bad temper.
At dinner . . . President, Sultan, Protocol, self, Crown Prince, Elliott Roosevelt, Nogues, Hopkins, Murphy, Grand Vizier, Churchill. No wine, only orange juice and water. Churchill was very rude, the President was great, talking volubly in bad French and really doing his stuff. After dinner we had [motion] pictures and more talk . . .
I rode with Sultan and Grand Vizier to house of latter. On way Sultan said, “Truly your President is a very great man and a true friend of myself and of my people. He shines by comparison with the other one” . . .
Nogues was delighted that the P.M. was such a boor.
Letter, Beatrice to GSP, Jr., January 23, 1943
I heard the most wonderful lecture at the Geographic by Commander S. E. Morison . . . The movies with it were of the actual landings, and the whole thing was as fine as could be. It was entirely from the Navy point of view . . .
I went out to the back room . . . to congratulate him, and he said he had enjoyed meeting you ...
He introduced me to a lot of people . . .as Mrs. General Patton, among whom was Mr. Berle.
He is an objectionable little Jew, with a strong accent. He said: “Mrs. Patton, your husband is doing a fine job over dere in spite of de newspapers”
I said, “Mr. Berle, the papers have not mentioned General Patton at all in connection with the African political situation. He is in Morocco, and I understand that the situation there is a most happy one”
Believe me, no one is going to get you mixed up with anyone else if they ask me. “Not while Tildy Ann has two shots left” . . .
The enclosed article about you is in today’s [Washington] Post . . . Renie Clark just called me up about it; she says it shows a sweet side she didn’t know you possessed, and that she is crazier about you than ever. Tut, tut ...
Now I will do up my little package and some love, which takes no room, and requires no extra postage, but you will feel it there.
Diary, January 23
I talked to General Marshall about the Legion of Merit. He told me to see Hopkins about it. I did. Hopkins is quite a man and very understanding. I think he will get the President to remove the stipulation that the President must approve all Legion of Merit awards, certainly in so far as the Army is concerned. This will be a great thing, as at present we have no means of rewarding merit except with the DSM, which only applies to great responsibility and not to the good work of juniors . . .
The Roosevelt boy who is in the Navy came in drunk and slapped an admiral on the back and said, “How are you, you old s.o.b.” Hopkins saw it and told the admiral to send the young Roosevelt to his ship in arrest and confine him there . . .
The Grand Vizier asked me to get him an interview with Mr. Hopkins, provided that the British did not know about the points [to be] discussed, i.e., future of French and Spanish Morocco, Jews, trade, and immediate help.
Wilbur saw DeGaul[le] and found him not helpful. He wants to be the political boss and let Giraud command the troops.
Diary, January 24
I took General Nogues and Admiral Michelier to call on A-1 . . . A-1 started to talk about DeGaul and was very frank, when B-1 came in without being asked and hung around, started to leave, and then came back. The whole thing was so patent a fear on the part of the British to have the French and Americans alone together, that it was laughable. The two Frenchmen saw and commented on it. I hope A-1 did too . . .
Giraud came after lunch to . . . say goodby. I fear he is too much a soldier to run his job as dictator – at least he wants to fight . . .
I met the new British Consul to Rabat, who began to tell me how to win a war, so I disagreed with him to draw him out, but he just got mad. He is a typical State Department fool.
Letter, GSP, Jr., to Hopkins, January 24, 1943
It is my present intention to give myself the honor of seeing you off, but in view of the fact you may be too busy at the last moment, I am writing this note to tell you how much I enjoyed our conversations together, and how much I appreciate the deep and sincere interest you demonstrated for the troops.
I hope you will tell the people at home how really fine they are. I also hope that something can be done to facilitate the issuance of Legion of Merit badges.
Diary, January 25
Admiral King, Cooke, Hall came to dinner, and I had a chance to tell how good Hall is, which is true.
Letter, GSP, Jr., to Beatrice, January 25,
Darling B. We have had a very hectic week of social and official affairs. My guest book, had I kept one, would be an envy to all lion hunters. Keep an eye on the movies, and you may see me and be surprised.
We had a corps review . . . and for once in my life I was perfectly satisfied . . . and I am not getting less easy to please.
I only wish that after seeing this outfit, [the important] people . . . could take a look at some of the other troops. It would add to our reputation at the expense of theirs . . .
No wars in sight. I love you.
Letter, GSP, Jr., to Malin Craig, January 25, 1943
The state of law and order maintained here results from the prestige of the French Army, which is certainly nebulous. Therefore, it has been my study to maintain and build up in every way this prestige, because without it we might well be faced with internecine war between various Arab districts. This would not be very serious war . . . but it unquestionably would require the diversion of large numbers of our troops from theif primary mission of killing Germans and chasing Italians.
Naturally, I have been criticized for being too soft with the French, but since they have done everything I have asked of them, I feel that I can stand the criticism.
The Arabs apparently like me very much and are always trying to give me indigestion by inviting me to ten-course meals, at which the smallest dish consists of a whole sheep for six people . . .
It is impossible to state just what I will do next, but I certainly would like to do something except sit around and wait for something to happen.
He told his chief of staff, Hobart Gay, to get out a training memorandum to all subordinate units. Among the points covered was the instruction that all officers and men were to be able to run one mile in ten minutes while wearing combat dress and equipment. Also, everyone was to
pay more attention to saluting U.S. Naval officers and officers of all foreign services. At the present time, the French officers and men are much more meticulous in saluting us than we are in saluting them.
Diary, January 26
Generals Marshall, Hull, Gailey, and Col. McCarthy came to dinner . . . We had a monologue [from Marshall]. It is most unfortunate that weather prevented General Marshall from seeing the troops [elsewhere]. He now will think they are as good as mine, which is not so. He should have especially seen the airports, which are terrible. All he did was to make excuses for the lack of discipline of the Air Force. There is no excuse – my troops are disciplined . . . Now General Marshall will fly the Atlantic with Devers and swallow all his misinformation. I wish someone would listen to me. I have something which makes people reluctant to question me; perhaps I always have an answer based on truth and not bootlick. He saw General Marshall off the following morning.
Many of those who attended the conference wrote to thank Patton for his hospitality. Cunningham sent “a small present which I hope will do a little to relieve the Scotch shortage in your area and to which I fear I contributed.” Churchill and Mountbatten were impressed by the bearing of the American troops. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Elliott Roosevelt told him to have no hesitation to ask for a favor. Dill appreciated Pat-ton’s kindness, then added that Patton’s luck had held – there had been no Axis bombing of Casablanca.
Marshall was, for him, lavish in his praise, congratulating Patton for the outstanding manner in which all the details had been handled, complimenting him on the appearance and performance of his officers and men, and thanking him for the personal entertainment, the dinners that had contributed to the informal discussions at the conference.
Devers wrote to tell Patton that he had made a splendid impression on everyone. “You have what it takes and you can dish it out.”
Shortly thereafter, when Everett Hughes read a “Report on the Operations of the Western Task Force at Casablanca,” written by two British officers, he passed along a passage to Patton. Dealing with the factors that contributed to the success of the operation, the authors listed the first as being:
The personal leadership in the field of nearly all the American Commanding Generals and the spirit, emanating from Maj-General G. S. Patton and pervading the whole force, of absolute determination to stake everything on what was clearly a military gamble and either to achieve success or to face the problem of 100 per cent casualties.
Patton modestly replied:
I do believe that the other generals were just as fully intent on winning or staying in Africa as I was.
To Helen Sprigg, a secretary who had worked with the Western Task Force in Washington, Patton wrote:
You will probably have read in the papers and seen on the movie screen that for the last ten days we have been very busy entertaining the leading lights of the world. It was very amusing but was not war. Personally, I wish I could get out and kill someone.