Toting two carbines, an M-1 Garand, and shouting, "They couldn't hit me anyway," 39th Regimental Commander, "Paddy" Flint-far out in front of even his own pinned-down company-charged through the hedgerows pouring round after round into the tails of a now withdrawing enemy. He had to lead his regiment to the Marigny/St. Lo road crossing to help kick off "Cobra," General Bradley's operation for the Allied breakout of Normandy. The half-dozen German tanks and SS infantry in his way would not stop him from rallying his "Triple A-O" boys and being there on time! This is the story of Col. Harry A. "Paddy" Flint.
A 1912 West Point graduate with extensive training and experience, Flint, according to an Army rule, was considered too old to serve overseas as a combat commander in World War II. Finally, with the help of some high-placed friends, such as Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., he was assigned command of the 39th Regiment in Sicily in 1943. There he created the famous battle slogan, "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime, Bar Nothing!" (A-A-A-O). Flint was the embodiment of a born soldier. He inspired many with his courage and valor, and met his destiny in the hedgerows of Normandy. With many never-before-published letters and photographs, Paddy captures the witty, the emotional-the more private sides-of such World War II power players as Generals Patton, Bradley, Eisenhower and others involved in Paddy's colorful life story.
Robert A. Anderson
2006, 5½x8½, paper, index, 242 pp.
ISBN: 9780788436451
101-A3645
