In mid-January, McGovern and Rounds learned that they were entitled to ten days off duty, in Rome, the Isle of Capri, or Naples. General Eisenhower, commander of the Allied forces, ordered the U.S. Army and Army Air Forces to provide ten days leave for combat veterans. That was easier to do with AAF personnel than infantry, but still the attempt was made. Eisenhower also got involved in picking the hotels for his boys. On a cruise around the Isle of Capri, he spotted a large villa. “Whose is that?” he asked.
”Your, sir,” was the reply. His aides had arranged it.
”And that?” Eisenhower asked, nodding at another large villa.
”That one belongs to General Spaatz.”
”Damn it, that’s not my villa!” Eisenhower thundered. “And that’s not General Spaatz’s villa! None of these will belong to any general as long as I’m boss around here. This is supposed to be a rest center – for combat men – not a playground for the brass!”
He meant it. When he retuned to shore, he wired Spaatz, “This is directly contrary to my policies and must cease at once.”
Source:
Ambrose, Stephen E. “The Isle of Capri.” The Wild Blue: The Crews of the B-24. Simon & Schuster, 2002. 202. Print.
Original Source Listed:
Stephen E. Ambrose, Eisenhower: Soldier, General of the Army, President-Elect, 267.
Further Reading:
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This reminds me of the scenes in Patton when they're traversing Italy