[Message To Troops Aboard the U.S.S. Dickman]

U.S.S. Dickman Near the Coast of Casablanca, 1942. Good. 10¾" x 7 5/8". Single sheet printed one side. Good: old folds and a couple of chips.

This is an extraordinary item that's also extraordinarily rare: an inspiring message to troops aboard the U.S.S. Dickman from Major General George S. Patton, printed on ship in advance of Operation Torch. It was found years ago in a collection of documents from a sailor who served on the Dickman.

Operation Torch occurred from November 8-16, 1942. It was an invasion of French North Africa which met the British objective of securing victory in Northern Africa while allowing United States troops to begin fighting Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on a limited scale. Patton was in command of the operations Western Task Force which was aimed at Casablanca and stated,

"In making our landing, we may be opposed by a limited number of Germans. It is not known whether the French African Army, composed of both white and colored troops, will contest our landing. It is regrettable to contemplate the necessity of fighting the gallant French who are at heart sympathetic towards us, but all resistance by whomever offered must be destroyed."

We find nothing similar in institutional libraries or at auction.