Treat 'Em Rough!: The Birth of American Armor, 1917-20

by Dale Wilson, G. S. Patton (Foreword)

Traces the development of tank warfare and looks at combat experiences of the U.S. Army's World War I Tank Corps

242 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1989

Reviews

[William Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began my 28 year Army career as a tank platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. The units Coat of Arms traces back to the 15th Tank Battalion of the 3o4th Tank Brigade organized in 1918. Treat 'Em Rough connected me to that history. This book is the history of the creation of American Armor from 1917 through 1920. The most prominent character in this book is George S. Patton as he was responsible for the lions share of the formation from identifying a training location to deciding tables of organization and equipment, to recruiting volunteers and subordinate leaders, to obtaining equipment, to developing tactics, to writing operating procedures and doctrine! He led the first American use of tanks in combat. The French and British provided the tanks as American industry had not manufactured any such vehicles. The French and British did allow American manufactures to use their designs and blueprints but no American Tank was produced in time to be used in combat, for many reasons. Author Dale E. Wilson does a great job in detailing all of the administrative details that were needed to create the US Tank Corps. The litany of requirements is overwhelming. Patton and his subordinates handled them superbly. He established the discipline, conduct and esprit de corps of the original Tank Corps. One quote from a Patton directive on appearance I found typical, "Hair was to be kept short enough so that the officers and men of the tank school would, 'look like soldiers and not like poets''' (Wilson, p. 30). Patton had to address everything from the mundane to the vital needs of the soldier in combat. Things like how many buildings were needed to house the influx of volunteers, what spare parts for the tanks were needed, how to communicate between tank commander and crew, between tanks and with supported and supporting infantry, what was the best combination of light and heavy tanks had to be decided. Patton and his staff decided them.
The second part of the book is about the employment of the tanks in combat. This was real test of Patton's training and leadership. The tankers responded exceptionally well overcoming mechanical and terrain difficulties to accomplish the mission. Even when tanks were disabled crews fought dismounting machine guns from the tanks to support attacking infantry. Tank platoon leaders and company commanders often led from the front preceding the tanks on foot pointing the way, avoiding obstacles and identifying targets for the tanks to destroy. Often tankers when their tank was disabled moved with the attacking infantry always going forward as Patton trained them. The results were outstanding though not without issues. Mechanical breakdowns were a significant issue. American tankers earned two Medals of Honor, one posthumously, thirty-nine Distinguished Service Crosses, five posthumously. Additionally, the tankers earned thirty British decorations. There is no listing of the number of Purple Heart medals awarded to tankers but Patton earned one and it caused him to be absent from the final successful employment of tanks in the war. As the author points out, the true measure of leadership is to be able to teach the skills needed to perform the required missions and to imbue one's subordinates with the motivation to carry on in the absence of of superiors and in the face of overwhelming odds (Wilson, p. 158). Patton had that quality! Alack and alas, many of the lessons learned about the development and use of tanks in WWI were lost in the post war era. Congress reduced funding and Patton returned to Cavalry. America was unprepared for tank warfare when the Second World War commenced. Luckily Patton was still around!
This is a great read! It addresses a little known aspect of WWI.

[Christopher Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and learned a lot. Picked it up on a whim as my wife’s great grandfather is mentioned in it. But wound up learning all about the roles both Patton and Eisenhower played in World War I.

[Bill Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Indescribably tedious. Only my obsessive nature made me finish it.

[Robert Krenzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Painstakingly researched, but an incredibly dry read.