Lot #2137

Mark W. Clark Typed Letter Signed on Winston Churchill

Description

General Clark on the "greatest person" he ever met—"I can answer with enthusiasm that it was Winston Churchill"

TLS signed “Mark Clark,” one page, 8.5 x 11, The Citadel letterhead, May 6, 1983. Letter to Robert Laird in Hertfordshire, England, touching on Montgomery of Alamein, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Winston Churchill, in part: "I appreciate your comments on my two books and my long service of forty years in the Army…You ask two questions, first about the Eighth Army and its involvement with our landing at Salerno. During those first hard days after the landing, I knew Monty was moving north on the East Coast of Italy and I hoped he'd get there in time to lend me a hand, if needed…I am sure he would have liked to have arrived on the scene sooner, but I do not think that his arrival would change the course of history as far as our landings were concerned…The second question 'Who was the greatest person I ever met?' I can answer with enthusiasm that it was Winston Churchill. General Eisenhower and I went to London in early ‘42 and set up an American Headquarters. I was his Deputy Commander in command of the American troops. When TORCH was decided upon, Ike was named the Commander-in-Chief and I his Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and I was in charge of the allied plans. We had dinner every Wednesday night at 10 Downing Street, with Mr. Churchill, in order to solve problems we were unable to solve among ourselves, and he made wise and definite decisions in every case. He visited me many times during the war and after, and I have always felt a great admiration for him.” In fine condition.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Military and the Cold War
• Dates: #684 - Ended May 18, 2023

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