One of the pictures in Dad’s files was the one above. My Dad did not snap the picture, however he was there and saw almost this exact viewing angle. He wrote on the back of the photo the following…
March 25th, 1945. Nierstein, Germany, on the Rhine River. General George Patton stopped to inspect the Treadway bridge constructed by the 249th Combat Engineers. Patton is on the left raising the level of the Rhine River a little. (Patton is relieving himself over the side of the river)
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
Excellent photo my friend. RIP to your dad.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Typical Patton. Always the photo op guy.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to post more of your dads pictures? this was excellent.
Thanks Gumby.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe I am. He has some unique World War II articles. I have a picture of him doing his mine sweeping duties and other assorted pictures and letters.
ReplyDeleteI love moments that make famous people seem a little more "real"
ReplyDeleteYes, a perfect photo-op, Patton pissing on the German army. Classic!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo, and your dad was there. God bless all the veterans.
ReplyDeleteYes Sir. God Bless all the veterans.
ReplyDeleteMy Father was a master sgt. who served in 3rd Army under Patton. He said he was warmer in the Battle of the Bulge than he was when the Army sent him to Korea. He was the Army for 30 years and never got used to being a civilian. He loved being in the Army. He died in 1972, and served in China, The Phillipines, North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Germany and Korea. In 1964, the Army wanted to send him to Vietnam but he retired because he didn't want to go through a 3rd war.
ReplyDeleteYes, dad said that Patton made it a priority that all his men had spare dry socks and enough clothing to stay warm.
ReplyDeleteMy dad did his time and returned. He never wanted to talk about the war, but when I asked him to tell my son his experiences so he would understand the horrors, he opened up a bit and told some amazing tales.