GENERAL PATTON

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1943, Page 5

GENERAL PATTON

SLAPPING INCIDENT WASHINGTON. Nov. 25. Mr H. Stimson, War Secretary, at a press conference, stated that the War Department had requested General Eisenhower to furnish a full report on the Patton slapping incident. He explained that since the beginning' of the war he and General Marshall had adopted the principle of selecting the best possible theatre commander, then giving him a free hand and complete authoritv. Under this principle. General Eisenhower was responsible for all matters of administration and discipline within his theatre. Mr Stimson said, the War Departmen disapproved the statement issued by Allied Headquartrs denying that General Patton had been reprimanded and implying the day before the reporters were permitted to publish the story that the report of the incident was erroneous. He added that obviously General Eisenhower had not. approved the denial, since .it was promptly disapproved by his headquarters.