THIS book is compiled from letters written to my wife during thirty-three months of service (1942-1945) in the European theater of operations during World War II.
At the end of the North African campaign, I was appointed A.D.C. to General George S. Patton, Jr., serving from then on as his senior aide-de-camp until after V-E Day and his return to the United States. While General Patton is naturally the central and dominating figure of this journal, the latter is in no sense an attempt at either biography or military analysis. It is simply an account describing such day-to-day personal experiences in wartime Africa and Europe as I felt might interest or amuse my wife.
To the original letters I have added the names of places, individuals, and units which at the time of writing would have been disallowed by the censor. Certain passages of a personal nature have been omitted.
For their friendly assistance and editorial advice I wish to thank the following: Edward Weeks of the Atlantic Monthly; Lieutenant General Hobart R. Gay; Bernard S. Carter; John P. Marquand; Archibald S. Alexander; William A. Parker; Edward P. Creed; General Marie Jean Tiatte; Frances and Charles P. Curtis.
CHARLES R. CODMAN
Boston, July 1956
The chapter notes are by Lieutenant General Hobart R. Gay, USA (Ret.), formerly Chief of Staff to General Patton.