Cry Havoc

  • Published
  • By Col. "Tip" Stinnette
  • 39th Air Base Wing commander
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war! We are ready. Never give up; never dig in; never defend; always attack; never worry about defeat, never take council of your fears; think of and plan only for victory; we win by never losing. To win a battle one must make their mind run the body because the body will always give up from exhaustion. When you are tired, the enemy is just as tired; never let the enemy rest. Pillows are worthless baggage that ought to be discarded. Foxholes are graves. Keep moving rapidly and there will be no need for them. Wars are not won by holding land but by constantly advancing. These are the exhortations of General Patton, a great American and a man of his time.

To ensure that his troops remained alert, Patton frequently attempted to infiltrate his own heavily guarded base camp. One night he was prowling outside the perimeter with his Lieutenant whom he sent forward to see if the guard knew his instructions. When asked from what direction he expected trouble, the guard pointed directly at Patton's headquarters in the center of the camp and replied that was where he expected trouble. Patton, who overheard the conversation began laughing and waved off the lieutenant. "That man understands his mission," he said as the astonished guard exclaimed: "My God! You gotta expect General Patton from all directions."

Who is your General Patton ... who do you expect from all directions? Compliance is an all direction kind of thing ... the war we have been preparing for is against non-compliance. It is a war that reaches its decisive point Monday, Apr 30 ... you are ready! We know the culminating point will be on May 7 at the inspection out-brief ... we win by never losing! Victory goes to the resolute of purpose. I echo General Patton's final message on May 9, 1945, to his beloved Third Army: "The honor which is mine and mine alone is that of having commanded such an incomparable group the record of whose fortitude, audacity and valor will endure as long as history lasts." Think of and plan only for victory as we cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war ensuring freedom's future!