14-193 Garand Picture of the Day

[Sarge1998]

Read the book The Liberator, Lt. Col. Felix Sparks (Thunderbirds) was the commander and that action was described in Chapter 26 The Coal Yard. Investigations followed regarding the shooting of the Germans, but another incident developed following in which Sparks had a confrontation with a General who was out of his area trying to usurp command for a photo op. Sparks denied him entry to the compound with a newswoman as the General only wanted the press. Sparks was following his orders from his General who did have command of this area. When Sparks told a private to escort the General and his newswoman out of the area that General struck the private with a riding crop and Sparks drew his 1911 and told the General he'd shoot him if he struck another of his men. Guess who saved Sparks in the end and cleaned up the mess, George Patton! Patton's response to Sparks was to state essentially the following, you and your men save my *** plenty of times, dismissed.

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[Thumper]

I was visiting Dachau some years ago and met a man who was about 15 years old when that happened.
He told me he was there and witnessed our troops enter and take charge of the camp.
He said the Mayor of Dachau met Sparks and a group of tanks and men just outside of the city.
The Mayor offered to take them there and show them where to get in if we would spare his town.
Sparks agreed and when he was told about what was going on he became enraged, and he led a few tanks and several hundred men through the gate.
He said there was a lot of shooting, but the tower guards were shooting back, so there was some light resistance when they first entered.
The town cheered and well you know the rest of the story.