Third U. S. Army, Volume 2

File — Box: 7

Identifier: II

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This box contains the continuation of the Third Army after-action report, which describes the breakdown of the German Third Reich from a military point of view. It contains detailed information on German troop location and strength, estimates of command effectiveness and troop morale, and intelligence reports describing the age and national composition of enemy troops. Volume two also contains the staff section reports, which detail the plans, experiences, methods of operation, and important lessons learned by each section chief. These reports vary in length and quality. By far the most comprehensive and well-written report details the operations of the Command Section from 26 January 1944 when Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. assumed command to 9 May 1945 when Patton issued his final General Order under combat conditions thanking the men under his command. The portion of the report dealing with "lessons learned and conclusions" ranges from the width of tracks for vehicles to the organization of administrative sections under combat conditions. Three "letters of instruction" written by Patton are appended, in which his principles of command, combat procedures, and administrative principles are set forth. Subjects of these letters range from common tactical faults to the frequency of staff conferences to the importance of dealing with rumors. Also of interest is the report of the Third Army Engineering Section, which includes photographs of bridges built under the extreme time and supply pressures typical of combat conditions.

Dates

1854-2000

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.