An Army at Dawn

by Rick Atkinson

  These engineering nuances: W. B. Smith, OH, May 8, 1947, FCP, MHI (“one for himself”); Alexander, “The African Campaign from El Alamein to Tunis,” 873.

  Montgomery knew: Destruction, 333–34; NWAf, 525–30; Nicholson and Forbes, 298 (“When I give”).

  The party had begun: Howard and Sparrow, 129–38 (“lightly held”); Quilter, ed., 161; A. C. Elcomb, “The Battle of Mareth,” Army Quarterly and Defence Journal, Oct. 1973, 44; Fred Telford, ts, n.d., 3rd Bn, Coldstream Guards, IWM, 97/41/1 (“It was my first contact” and “For you the war”); Destruction, 335; NWAf, 531; Messenger, 75; Rolf, 170–71 (“I am still alive” and “the most damnable thing”).

  A lesser man: Howard and Sparrow, 133 (“a great success”); Destruction, 332–34 (“left largely”).

  As Montgomery and his officers: Belden, 219–24 (“someone is making”); W.A.T. Synge, The Story of the Green Howards, 1939–1945; Lewin, The Life and Death of the Afrika Korps, 191 (“to a picnic”); NWAf, 531–33; Destruction, 338–41; Elcomb, 44–55; Tuker, 291 (“pound the objectives”), 295; G. R. Stevens, Fourth Indian Division, 209; The Tiger Kills, 162; B. H. Liddell Hart, The Tanks, 249; Macksey, Crucible of Power, 216; Fritz Bayerlein, “Memorandum for the War Diary,” May 5, 1943, NARA RG 319, OCMH, box 225.

  Montgomery disliked: Hamilton, 193–95 (“What am I”); Rolf, 171; Francis de Guingand, Operation Victory, 250–55; Charles Richardson, Send for Freddie, 117.

  The answer lay: Clifford, 401 (“jagged purple coxscomb”); Howard Kippenberger, Infantry Brigadier, 277; Powell, In Barbary, 123; Tuker, 299; H. Marshall, Over to Tunis, 100; Hastings, 201.

  Alerted by Luftwaffe reconnaissance: msg, Messe to Arnhem, March 25, 1943, NARA RG 319, OCMH, box 226; Hinsley, British Intelligence in the Second World War, vol. 2, 284–85; Destruction, 341–44; NWAf, 533; Doherty, A Noble Crusade: The History of Eighth Army, 1941–45, 129.

  One man: W. G. Stevens, Freyberg, V.C., The Man, 1939–1945, 36, 47, 54–56, 60; Lewin, Montgomery as Military Commander, 170; Boatner, 167; Dan Davin essay on Freyberg in Carver, ed., The War Lords, 582–95 (“cunning as a Maori dog”).

  The Salamander was displeased: Destruction, 344; De Guingand, 258.

  Montgomery set aside: “Direct Air Support in the Battle of El Hamma,” AAF Informational Intelligence Summary, 43–36, July 10, 1943, NARA RG 334, NWC Lib, box 13; Destruction, 348–54; Kippenberger, 282–84.

  Through the gap: Stewart, ed., 182 (“Speed up”); Kippenberger, 289 (“dead and mangled”), 280 (“They trust me”); T. M. Lindsay, Sherwood Rangers, 79, 83 (“Like a black snake”); Liddell Hart, The Tanks, 251; Tuker, 306 (“trundled as snails”); Bisheshwar Prasad, ed., The North African Campaign, 1940–43, Official History of the Indian Armed Forces, 502–505; Messenger, 91 (“not unlike hounds”); Lewin, Montgomery as Military Commander, 173; Brooks, ed., 211; NWAf, 537; Horrocks, 155.

  “It was the most enjoyable battle”: Brooks, ed., 185; Stannard, ed., 287 (drought); D. McCorquodale et al., History of the King’s Dragoon Guards, 1938–1945, 221; bomb damage assessment, Operations Bulletin No. 2, May 31, 1943, NW African AF, NARA RG, NWC Lib, box 132; Rolf, 190 (donned their kilts); Dudley Clarke, The Eleventh at War, 288–95.

  Some of Montgomery’s admirers: Doherty, 130–35; Hamilton, 208; Tuker, 307 (“lack of purpose”); essay on Montgomery by Michael Carver, in Keegan, ed., Churchill’s Generals; “Montgomery and the Battle of Mareth. Talk with Christopher Buckley,” Nov. 24, 1946, LHC, 11/1946/12 (through repetition).

  CHAPTER 11: OVER THE TOP

  “Give Them Some Steel!”

  An old Arab song: Stannard, ed., 279; Baedeker, 385; author visit, Apr. 2000; NWAf, 541; Parris and Russell, 301.

  If seizing Gafsa: “Report on Operation, 15 March–10 Apr. 1943,” II Corps, CARL, N-2652A; Bradley and Blair, 141; Nicholson, Alex, 177 (“I do not want”), 180 (“dashing steed”); DDE to GCM, March 29, 1943, Chandler, 1059; Alexander, OH, SM, MHI.

  Patton was incensed: Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 187–90 (“Fortunately for our fame”); NWAf, 545; Howze, A Cavalryman’s Story, 64 (“more dead bodies”); Bradley, A Soldier’s Story, 52.

  That night, military policemen: “History of the 26th Infantry in the Present Struggle,” n.d., MRC FDM, box 301, 9–18; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 191 (“The hardest thing”); AAR, “Report of Operations 1st AD, Maknassy, 12 March–10 Apr., 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 14767; letter, TdA to G. F. Howe, Apr. 16, 1951, NARA RG 319, OCMH, box 229; Hansen, 4/33; James Wellard, The Man in a Helmet, 77 (“small flotilla of ships”).

  “The Dagoes beat it”: Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 193, 191; Bradley and Blair, 142; Liebling, Mollie & Other War Stories, 67, 85; Pyle, Here Is Your War, 231–33; MacVane, Journey into War, 231–34; Martin, The GI War, 52; Yarborough, 90; Knickerbocker et al., 66; diary, CBH, March 26, 28, 1943, MHI; Marshall, ed., Proud Americans, 66 (ore cars); Dickson, “G-2 Journal,” MHI, 53 (“a Moroccan”); Ellis, On the Front Lines, 274 (venereal disease); II Corps, provost marshal journal, 1943, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 3126 (“No, suh”); Carter, “Carter’s War,” CEOH, IV-44.6.

  Patton knew the value: D’Arcy-Dawson, 177 (Viennese steak); Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 191–92 (“If any American”); MacVane, Journey into War, 232; Porter, SOOHP, MHI, 276–78 (“You should”).

  On the nineteenth: NWAf, 550, 557; author visit, Apr. 2000; Knickerbocker et al., 67.

  No one who met him: Michael J. King, William Orlando Darby: A Military Biography, 17, 46; King, “Rangers: Selected Combat Operations in WWII” Arnbal, 27.

  On the evening: Altieri, Darby’s Rangers: An Illustrated Portrayal; Lehman, “The Rangers Fought Ahead of Everybody,” 28; Darby, Darby’s Rangers: We Led the Way, 71; Boatner, 250; Ingersoll, 115–16 (“sighing of the sea”), 147–70 (“rubbing fists in their eyes”); King, “Rangers: Selected Combat Operations in WWII,” 19–20; Arnbal, 61–62 (“odors of hot guns”).

  Kitchen trucks: Liebling, “Find ’Em, Fix ’Em, and Fight ’Em,” Apr. 24, 1943, 221, and May 1, 1943, 24; II Corps G-2 incident report, March 22, 1943, in 9th ID records, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7334 (“Few Germans”); Dixon, “Terry Allen,” 57.

  “There’s but one thought”: TR to Eleanor, March 20, 25, Apr. 11, 1943, TR, LOC, box 9; AAR, 1st ID, n.d., in DSC documentation packet, TR, LOC, box 39; Sam Carter, “The Operations of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, at El Guettar,” 1948, Fort Benning, Infantry School, 19; NWAf, 560–64.

  The chink: author visit, Apr. 2000; “The African Campaign from El Alamein to Tunis,” 874–76; Marshall, ed., Proud Americans, 72, 79; Hamilton, 206 (“complete amateurs”); Skillen, 298; Gustav von Vaerst, “Operations of the Fifth Panzer Army in Tunisia,” n.d., FMS #D-001, 6–10; Carter, “The Operations of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry,” 19 (“huge iron fort”); Raymond, “Slugging It Out,” Field Artillery Journal, Jan. 1944, 14 (“no one had the heart”); Milton M. Thornton and R. G. Emery, “Try the Reverse Slope,” Infantry Journal, Feb. 1944, 8; author interview, Eston White, Feb. 2000.

  On the American left: Arnim, “Recollections of Tunisia,” FMS #C-098, 82; Tank Destroyer Forces World War II, 30–32; Andrus, notes on A Soldier’s Story, MRC FDM; Mason, “Reminiscences and Anecdotes of World War II,” MRC FDM, 81, 135; Carter, “The Operations of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry at El Guettar,” 20–22; Riess, ed., 553; Arnold J. Heidenheimer, Vanguard to Victory: History of the 18th Infantry; Clay, Blood and Sacrifice, 8/37–39 (mss); Marshall, ed., Proud Americans, 77–78, 83, 85–86; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 224 (“Hun bastards”); Liebling, “Find ’Em, Fix ’Em, and Fight ’Em,” Apr. 24, 1943, 221, and May 1, 1943, 24 (“I will like hell”).

  Desperate as the fight: “TD Combat in Tunisia,” Jan. 1944, Tank Destroyer School, MHI; Porter, SOOHP, MHI, 276 (“I expect him”); Mason, “Reminiscences and Anecdotes,” 82–3; AAR, 899th TD Bn, “Unit History, 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 23879; Christopher R. Gabel, “Seek, Strike
, and Destroy: U.S. Army Tank Destroyer Doctrine in World War II,” 1985, CSI, 38; Raymond, “Slugging It Out,” 14; NWAf, 560.

  With sirens screaming: Tank Destroyer Forces World War II, 31–32; Hansen, 4/57 (“I want”).

  At three P.M.: “G-2 Report, Battle of El Guettar,” G-2 Miscellaneous Papers, II Corps, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 3164; Thomas E. Bennett, “Gafsa–El Guettar,” 1st ID log, March 23, 1943, possession of Roger Cirillo; “A Summary of the El Guettar Offensive,” TdA, MHI; Skillen, 297, 299; Hinsley, British Intelligence in the Second World War, 286; Koch, 22; Rogers, “A Study of Leadership in the First Infantry Division During World War II,” 27 (“Terry, when”).

  Patton’s uncoded warnings: Porter, SOOHP, 1981, MHI, 282 (alerted the Germans); NWAf, 562–63; AAR, 899th TD Bn, “Unit History, 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 23879.

  This time the panzers: Liebling, “Find ’Em, Fix ’Em, and Fight ’Em” (“diffident fat boys”); “TD Combat in Tunisia” V. R. Rawie, 5th FA commander, quoted in Andrus biographical file, MHI (ricochet fire); Mason, “Reminiscences and Anecdotes,” 87 (“scissors and search”); Darby, Darby’s Rangers, 76; TR to Eleanor, March 25, Apr. 11, 1943, TR, LOC, box 9; Andrus, notes on A Soldier’s Story, MRC FDM; Hansen, 4/41A (“it seems a crime”).

  Survivors rejoined: Phillips, El Guettar: Crucible of Leadership, 4; Skillen, 299; NWAf, 564n; II Corps operations report, n.d., GSP, LOC MS Div., box 10; Carter, “The Operations of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry at El Guettar” II Corps, G-3 journal, March 1943, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 3175 (“Hun will soon”); Bradley and Blair, 144 (“indisputable defeat”); Drew Middleton, “The Battle Saga of a Tough Outfit,” New York Times Magazine, Apr. 8, 1945, 8 (“Well, folks”).

  “Search Your Soul”

  Orlando Ward’s attack: II Corps, G-3 journal, March 1943, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 3175; AAR, “Report of Operations 1st AD, Maknassy, 12 March–10 Apr. 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 14767; Johnson, One More Hill, 46; “Adventures by Men of the 60th Infantry Regiment in WWII,” 1993, MHI.

  Then he stopped: memo, Jean Bouley to Robinett, Aug. 1, 1949, PMR, LOC, box 4 (“very serious and costly”); Howe, “American Signal Intelligence in Northwest Africa and Western Europe,” U.S. Cryptologic History, series IV, WWII, vol. I, 1980, NARA RG 457, NSA files, SRH 391, box 114, 35; NWAf, 552; Vaerst, “Operations of the Fifth Panzer Army in Tunisia,” 12–13; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 196; Camp, ed., “Tankers in Tunisia,” 32, author visit, Apr. 2000.

  Ward also had: Theodore J. Conway, SOOHP, Sept. 1977, Robert F. Ensslin, MHI, ii-39 (“regiment was divided”); Phillips, The Making of a Professional: Manton S. Eddy, USA, 112; observer report #41, March 5, 1943, NARA RG 337, Observer Reports, box 52 (malaria).

  the Robinett problem: Gugeler, ts, OW, MHI, x-113; diary, Feb.–March, 1943, OW, MHI; Edwin A. Russell, OH, May 15, 1950, SM, MHI (“little dictator”); DDE to OW, March 12, 1943, OW, MHI (“difficult to handle”); PMR to DDE, Apr. 12, 1943, PMR, LOC, box 4; DDE to GCM, March 3, 1943, OW, MHI (“puzzling man”)

  his Patton problem: OW to DDE, March 7, 1943, Chandler, 1027n; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 188, 193, 197; Hansen, 4/96; McCurtain Scott, OH, March 1976, OW, MHI (“Goddamit, Ward”); diary, March 22, 1943, OW, MHI (“Patton impatient”).

  Alexander’s new orders: AAR, “Report of Operations 1st AD, Maknassy, 12 March–10 Apr 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 14767; AAR, CCC, 1st AD, March–Apr. 1943, NARA; NWAf, 553–55; author visit, Apr. 2000.

  He was actually facing: Lang, “Report on the Fighting of Kampfgruppe Lang,” part II, 1947, FMS, #D-166, MHI; Kriegstagebuch V, Fifth Panzer Army, March 23–24, 1943, NARA RG 319, OCMH, box 226; Kleine and Kühn, Tiger; Carell, 350.

  A third American attack: letter, T. Riggs to parents, June 25, 1943, PMR, LOC, box 4 (“beautiful and uncomfortable”); William S. McElhenny, 1st AD, ts, n.d., OW, MHI, box 1 (“Come on!”); AAR, 1st Bn, 6th Armored Inf; AAR, 60th Inf, March 22–24, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7535; Camp, ed., “Tankers in Tunisia,” 15; G-2 summary No. 6, Apr. 2, 1943, II Corps, “Report on Operation, 15 March–10 Apr., 1943,” CARL, N-2652A (“Here one can find”); Robertson, ASEQ, ts, n.d., 1st AD, 288 (“shootin’ gallery”).

  Patton had again: letter, R. F. Akers, Jr., to C. B. Hansen, Jan. 12, 1951, CBH, MHI (“Pink, you got”); war diaries, 1943, CBH, MHI, 8-A, S-10; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 197 (“my conscience”).

  Ward stood: diary, E. C. Hatfield, March 24, 1943, OW, MHI; AAR, E. C. Hatfield, 1st AD, March 27, 1943, OW, MHI, box 1 (“Sergeant could you”); AAR, CCC, NARA 407, E 427, 601-CCC-0.3, March–Apr. 1943; NWAf, 556; Robinett, Armor Command, 209; CBH, 1943, MHI; Scott, OH, OW, MHI (“Damned inadequate”); Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 198 (“made a man”).

  Two days later: diary, March 27, 1943, OW, MHI; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 199.

  The stalemate: OW to “All Personnel, 1st AD,” March 27, 1943, PMR, GCM Lib, box 12 (“Search your soul”); AAR, “Report of Operations, 1st AD, Maknassy, 12 March–10 Apr. 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 14767; NWAf, 575; DDE to GCM, Apr. 3 and 24, 1943, Chandler, 1066, 1101.

  There was truth: Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 221; Lang, “Report on the Fighting of Kampfgruppe Lang,” MHI; Gugeler, ts, OW, MHI, X-138 (“With some diffidence”), 141 (“Look, Brad”); Rolf, 199 (“quite useless”); OW note, Apr. 4, 1943, OW, MHI; diary, Apr. 4, 1943, OW, MHI (“Bradley gave”).

  Harmon would arrive: Harmon, Combat Commander, 123–25 (“stupid questions” and “party is all yours”); E. N. Harmon, OH, Sept. 15, 1952, SM, MHI.

  If outwardly gracious: OW, OH, May 5, 1957, FCP, MHI (chief of staff); PMR to OW, Apr. 20, 1943, PMR, GCM Lib, box 12 (“deepest gratitude”); OW, DSC awards packet, NARA RG 338, Fifth Army, A 47-A-3948, box 56.

  Ward was a good soldier: OW to L. E. Oliver, Sept. 27, 1943, OW, MHI (“My record”); Boatner, 599; DDE quoted in GCM to OW, May 5, 1943, Pentagon office correspondence, GCM Lib, box 90, folder 4 (“too sensitive”).

  Night Closes Down

  With the Americans: AAR, II Corps, “Report on Operation, 15 March–10 April 1943,” CARL, N-2652A; Knickerbocker et al., 94; S-1 log, 18th Inf, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 5941; Carter, “The Operations of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry at El Guettar,” 23; Arnbal, 75; NWAf, 564–69.

  Moreover, the 9th Division: AAR, “Report on Operation Conducted by 9th ID, Southern Tunisia, 26 March–8 Apr. 1943,” NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7326; D. T. Kellett, “El Guettar: Victory or Stalemate?,” Military Review, July 1951, 18; AAR, 39th Inf Regt, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7501; Carter, “Carter’s War,” IV-44; Phillips, The Making of a Professional, 76, 80, 97 (“big galoot”); “Hold Fast,” 1945 booklet on 9th ID; Knickerbocker et al., 71; Doubler, 294–95.

  An intelligence estimate: AAR, “Report on Operation Conducted by 9th ID” “Report on Defense of Hills 260 [sic] and 369,” May 23, 1943, II Corps engineers, NARA RG 338, box 147 (five dugouts); Heinz Werner Schmidt, With Rommel in the Desert, 266; author visit, Apr. 2000.

  Hill 369 prevented: AAR, 47th Inf, n.d., NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7514; AAR, 9th ID, n.d., NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7348; Phillips, El Guettar, 24–31 (“lighting up”), 37 (“You sons”); David E. Gillespie, ed., History of the Forty-Seventh Infantry Regiment; AAR, 10th Panzer Div., March 27, 1943, NARA RG 319, OCMH, box 225; Mittelman, 93-101.

  Worse yet: AAR, “Report on Operation Conducted by 9th ID” Randle, “The General and the Movie,” Army, Sept. 1971; Parris and Russell, 310; William M. Lee, ASEQ, n.d., 26th Inf Regt, 1st ID, MHI; Johnson, One More Hill, 55 (“Just lay in my hole”); AAR, 47th Inf, n.d., NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7514.

  Alexander visited: AAR, II Corps, CARL N-2652A (professed satisfaction); Phillips, El Guettar, 38 (“In all my career”), 43–47; Mittelman, 101.

  North of Highway 15: Marion Hunt and Duane R. Sneddeker, “Over Here, Over There,” Gateway Heritage, winter 1993, 48 (“We baked”); AAR, 1st ID, “Gafsa–El Guettar,” March 3
1, 1943, possession of Roger Cirillo; author interview, Albert H. Smith, Jan. 24, 2000; “History of the 26th Infantry in the Present Struggle,” FDM MRC, box 301, 9/62–81; Martin, The GI War, 56 (“Night just closes down”); Mason, “Reminiscences and Anecdotes,” 54 (“fussed and fumed”), 136.

  Late on March 29: AAR, “Report on Operation, 15 March–10 Apr. 1943,” II Corps, CARL, N-2652A; NWAf, 569–71 (a fourth time); Kellett, 18 (little chance of success); Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 200 (“I feel”).

  With Patton’s protest: C.C. Benson, “Some Tunisian Details,” Field Artillery Journal, Jan. 1944, 2; Moorehead, 136–37 (“From a hundred wadis”); D’Arcy-Dawson, 187 (“I saw tanks hit”); “Unit History, 1943,” 899th TD Bn, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 23879; NWAf, 571; AAR, “Report on Operation Conducted by 9th ID,” March 30, 1943; Wellard, 80; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 202 (“We seem”).

  The Axis line drew back: GSP to DDE, March 29, 1943, Patton files, DDE Lib, PP-pres, box 91 (“Nasty, grim”); AAR, 9th ID, Apr. 2, 1943, NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7348; AAR, 9th ID surgeon, n.d., NARA RG 407, E 427, box 7348; AAR, “Report on Operation Conducted by 9th ID” NWAf, 575; Phillips, El Guettar, 70; Randle, Safi Adventure, 216; Mason, “Reminiscences and Anecdotes,” 69 (“most severe”).

  The stuck-everywhere period: Linderman, 256 (“cell-by-cell”); Howe, The Battle History of the 1st Armored Division, 217 (“everybody ordering”); TR to Eleanor, Apr. 8, 1943, TR, LOC, box 9.

  Patton took it badly: Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 204–205; CBH, Apr. 1, 1943, MHI; Bradley and Blair, A General’s Life, 147; Bradley, A Soldier’s Life, 63; Butcher diary, DDE Lib, PP-pres, box 166, A-314 (“Every bone”); Hansen, 4/79; Pyle, Here Is Your War, 232.

  “Forward troops”: Coningham, Patton messages, DDE Lib, PP-pres, box 91; daily intel report, Sunset No. 47, Feb. 20, 1943 and Sunset No. 49, n.d., NSA files, NARA RG 457, SRS 1869, box 1; Tedder, 410–11; Laurence S. Kuter, “Goddammit, Georgie!,” Air Force Magazine, Feb. 1973, 51; D’Este, Patton, 483; Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1940–1945, 207–208, 211 (“I hope the Boches”); Bradley, A Soldier’s Story, 63–64; Carter, “Carter’s War,” CEOH, IV–42.