When Lieut. General Mark Clark was on his secret pre-invasion mission to North Africa, as is well known, he lost his pants. The small boat that was taking him off the shore capsized. The General had to shuck his trousers, which were weighted with $18,000 in gold, and swim ashore.
Ashore, he confronted Brigadier General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, who took a surprised look at his superior and quickly gave him his own pants. Shortly thereafter a British Commando captain happened by and snickered to see General Lemnitzer clad only in a blouse. No record was kept of the discussion, but in the end General Lemnitzer walked off in the captain’s pants.
Mrs. Lemnitzer, who lives in Washington, told the story last week. If she knew anything about the old Army game, Mrs. Lemnitzer was willing to bet that by now, somewhere in North Africa, was a buck private without his pants.
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