Study Notes on Patton's Letter to Eisenhower, April 15, 1945

Date and Sender Information

• Date: 15 April, 1945

• From: General G. S. Patton, Jr.

• To: General D. D. Eisenhower, Commanding General of the Third United States Army

• Location: Headquarters, Third United States Army

Subject Matter

• Personal letter to Corps Commanders and Chief of Staff
    - Purpose: Aligns with Eisenhower's ideas.

Key Findings

• Incident Involving a Russian Prisoner
    - A talkative former member of a murder camp was recognized by a Russian prisoner as a former guard.
    - The Russian prisoner attacked him, stating, "the prisoner beat his brains out with a rock."

• Discovery of Another Camp
    - A similar camp found four miles north of Weimar.
    - Population: Normal population was 25,000.
    - Mortality Rate: Dying at a rate of about a hundred per day.
    - Comparison of Burning Arrangements:
      - General Gay and Colonel Codman visited the camp.
      - Described arrangements as far superior to those at Ohrdruf.

Media Engagement

• Patton instructed the press to visit the newly discovered camp and report extensively on it.

• Suggested General Bradley send selected individuals from prominent press outlets to document brutality, producing necessary evidence against the Germans.

Conclusion

• Patton expressed his enjoyment of Eisenhower's visit, reiterating a tone of camaraderie and mutual respect.

Enclosures

• A copy of the personal letter to Corps Commanders and Chief of Staff is included as an attachment.