Mar 21, 2013 - Sale 2308

Sale 2308 - Lot 444

Price Realized: $ 480
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(MILITARY--WORLD WAR II.) U.S. GOVERNMMENT. Command of Negro Troops, War Department, 29 February, 1944. 19 pages, checklist. 8vo, original self-wrappers, printed on cheap, pulp paper; fore-edge with some light wear and a few chips; loosely laid in is a card with "Command of Negro Troops," and fifteen points, obviously meant to be carried in one's pocket or wallet. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1944
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An intriguing glimpse into the thinking of the U.S. War Department as regards Negroes and how to deal with them. From the Introduction: "The same methods of discipline, training and leadership apply to Negro troops that have proved themselves successful with other troops. Nevertheless, the Negro in the Army has special problems." The card with its 15 points is fairly enlightened in its approach, given the time and circumstances. Points like "Have I made allowances for any lack of educational opportunities in my men?" "Have I used words and phrases that my men cannot fully understand?" Have I done or said things that might wound the sensibilities of my men?" "Have I taken great pains with AGCT IV's and V's to explain to them the consequences of AWOL and venereal disease?" etc, etc. The overall language is generally a bit patronizing, but surprisingly honest too: "Have I excused my own shortcomings as a commander by attributing inadequate training to lack of ability on the part of my command instead of to my own failure to correct shortcomings?"