Patton's Own - The Rhineland Offensive by Richard Taylor

This is the very first time a George S. Patton autograph has been offered as part of a release from The Military Gallery. Patton is one of the most famous U.S. Generals of all time and having tragically died in a car accident in December 1945, it's easy to understand why his autograph is so hard to come by and this quantity has taken several years to source.

Also included alongside in the matting is a completely separate portrait of Patton, a museum-quality reproduction four-star General lapel pin and U.S. Third Army cloth shoulder patch, plus the ORIGINAL autograph of the legendary leader himself.

'Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way' - General George S. Patton's direct, no-nonsense and decisive leadership style gained him notoriety throughout World War Two and he has gone down in history as one of America's most legendary Army Generals. His bold approach did not go un-noticed by his adversaries either, with many German Generals admitting that of all the American field commanders, Patton was the one they feared the most.

With his formidable reputation growing through the campaigns in North Africa and Italy, Patton's troops soon showed their worth as they joined the Battle for Normandy and helped the Allies advance through occupied Europe in the months following D-Day and during the Battle of the Bulge. It wasn't long before the U.S. Third Army became known as 'Patton's Own' after their inspired leader.

In his unmistakable style, internationally acclaimed military and aviation artist Richard Taylor has created this historic tribute to a name that has gone down in military folklore. He skillfully depicts a scene in late March 1945 as elements of Patton's Third Army rapidly advance having recently crossed the Rhine River at Oppenheim, south of Mainz. Patton's favored strategy of speed and aggressive offensive action is clearly visible as fast-moving elements of the U.S. 6th Armored Division launch a blistering attack on German infantry retreating east towards Frankfurt and ever deeper into the heartland of Hitler's failing Reich. One further nail had been embedded in the Nazi coffin.

Matted Signature:

General GEORGE S. PATTON