Landships II

philthydirtyanimal · Commander in Chief

Bonus Marchers and Tanks

James H · Legend

Can't remember where this info came from, but I've a feeling they were 6-tonners. Also, I believe that Eisenhower was appalled at the decision and objected strongly.

It seems that six Tanks were used, under Patton's command. I suspect that Patton would have been more enthusiastic than Eisenhower.

This is claimed to be a photograph of the incident. I've had to blow it up a lot.�It's hard to make out the detail on the Tanks, and they're shown from the rear, but I think there's a hint of the exhaust on the left hand side. Maybe someone has a larger verion of it.

-- Edited by James H on Sunday 5th of July 2009 01:45:39 PM

James H · Legend

Caption reads:

The 3rd Cavalry marches along Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capitol, shortly after its arrival from Fort Myer on July 28, to disperse the Bonus Marchers.

James H · Legend

V. short clip of Tanks v Bonus Army, about 1' 23" in. Only about 5 secs.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=3118

philthydirtyanimal · Commander in Chief

Well spotted, Sir!

Definitely 6-tonners, and definitely not Renault FTs (or the mythical Renault FT17):

James H · Legend

Currently reading The Patton Papers, 1885-1940. Patton was a central figure in the dispersal of the Bonus Army. He mentions twice that Tanks were present, but says that they remained on their trucks throughout and were carried down Pennsylvania Avenue. It would appear that that was not the case.

As analytical and meticulous about detail as ever, Patton subsequently wrote a paper on how the Army should deal with civil disturbances. It is fair to say that he was to the right of the political spectrum. He carefully describes the best way to shoot down demonstrators, particularly in the back. It includes the sentence, "If you must fire, do a good job - a few casualties become martyrs, a large number an object lesson."