Patton Page #2

they kept on running. Our tanks...

The men call them

"Purple Heart boxes. "

One hot piece of shrapnel

and the gasoline explodes.

I warned them about the tank.

I taIked to one of the

soldiers about the half-tracks.

I asked them if the machine-gun

bullets pierced the armor.

And he said, "No, sir.

They just come through one side

and rattle around a bit. "

I understand they had a little trouble

coordinating the air cover.

The trouble was no air cover.

- General Smith on the line, sir.

- Excuse me, Brad.

Bedell?

Listen, I'm calling about Bradley

and his job here.

I need a good number-two man, I want

to make Brad my deputy commander.

You clear it with Ike?

All right, thanks, Bedell.

Now you're not spying for Eisenhower

anymore, you're working for me.

- Okay?

- Fine, okay.

Dick. You got those stars?

- Yes, sir.

- Let's get them on.

What's the matter, Brad?

I've been nominated by the president.

I know, but it doesn't become official

until it's approved by the Senate.

Well...

...they have their schedule

and I have mine.

George...

...if you were named admiral

of the Turkish Navy...

...I believe your aides could dip

into their haversacks...

...and come up with the appropriate

badge of rank.

Anyway, congratulations.

Premature congratulations.

You know...

I think those stars look better

on a green shirt.

Did I ever tell you about the time I

designed a uniform for tank crewmen?

It was green leather,

it had red stripes...

...and sort of a row of brass buttons

down across here.

And topped off

by a gold football helmet.

The Army rejected it, of course.

Goddamn, it was beautiful.

Lloyd Fredendall is just leaving.

George, there's one other thing I put

in my Kasserine report.

Some of our boys

were just plain scared.

That's understandable.

Even the best foxhound is gun-shy

the first time out.

I can remember...

...when nothing frightened me

as much as the idea of...

...a bullet coming

straight for my nose.

I don't know why, but the image of a

bullet coming right for my nose...

...was more horrible

than any other possibility.

Well, I can understand that,

with such a handsome nose.

You want to know why this outfit

got the hell kicked out of it?

Blind man could see it in a minute.

They don't look like soldiers.

They don't act like soldiers.

Why should they fight like soldiers?

You're absolutely right.

The discipline's pretty poor.

ln about 15 minutes we're going

to start turning these boys...

...into fanatics, razors.

They'll lose their fear

of the Germans.

I hope to God they never lose

their fear of me.

Up bright and early, general?

Breakfast?

Have all my officers

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