General Patton’s Disastrous Mission To Save His Son-in-Law
Task Force Baum
In 1943 during fighting around Sidi bou Zid, the Germans managed to capture a man by the name of John K. Waters. At the time, Waters was just one of the dozens of officers that were falling into German hands in Tunisia. But Waters was not just another officer; he was the son-in-law of the commanding general George Patton. Waters had married Patton’s daughter Beatrice nine years earlier in 1934, and the crusty general had a soft spot in his heart for the man.
John K. Waters was rounded up and shipped to Europe along with many other prisoners of war. Once Waters left Africa, he was out of the reach of General Patton. But Patton did not forget about his son-in-law. He anguished over his capture and frequently wondered about his status and his health.
As Patton oversaw the Allied victory in North Africa and eventual victories in Sicily and Italy, he grew ever closer to the location where he believed his son-in-law was. When Patton was finally close enough to garner information about Waters, he used it. And he likely used it improperly. Patton discovered that his son-in-law was being held in Oflag XIII-B, a POW camp holding Allied officers in Hammelburg, Germany, and decided to mount a rescue attempt.
