U.S. Lt. Colonel George S. Patton posing for a photograph in front of a French Renault FT-17 tank, July 15, 1918.


U.S. Lt. Colonel George S. Patton posing for a photograph in front of a French Renault FT-17 tank, July 15, 1918.
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"No tank is to be surrendered or abandoned to the enemy. If you are left alone in the midst of the enemy, keep shooting. If your gun is disabled, use your pistols and squash the enemy with your track. If your motor is stalled and your gun broken, still the infantry cannot hurt you. You hang on and help will come.

In any case, remember you are the first American tanks. You must establish the fact that American tanks do not surrender! As long as one tank is able to move it, must go forward. Its presence will save the lives of hundreds of infantry and kill many Germans. Finally, this is our big chance. Make it worthwhile."
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~ Lt. Colonel George S. Patton, Commander of the 1st U.S. Tank Brigade addressing his men before the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, September 1918.

Photograph colourised by @rwhitecolor.

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