Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

296 Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy
Bratton then called his boss, General Miles. Bratton told him
what he had done and also “recommended that he [Miles] come
down to the offi ce at once.” One of them telephoned Gerow to
summon him to the offi ce. 51
Miles arrived at his offi ce about 10:00 a.m., and Bratton joined
him there. Th ey discussed “this whole business.” Th us “General
Miles was thoroughly conversant with the entire matter” before
the two men met with Marshall later that morning. 52
Bratton held on to Marshall’s copy of the “One p.m. Message,”
waiting anxiously for the general to call back. Marshall did
phone, fi nally, “sometime between ten and eleven.” Bratton told
Marshall that he had a message “of extreme importance which he
[Marshall] should see at once.” Bratton off ered to take it out to
his quarters and could be there in ten minutes. But Marshall told
him not to do that, “to report to him in his offi ce, as he was on
his way there.” 53
Th ere were two doors into Marshall’s offi ce. One opened
directly into the hall, the other from the anteroom, the secretary’s
offi ce. Th e anxious Bratton waited in the anteroom while
watching the hall door. Marshall fi nally arrived through the hall
door. 54 According to Bratton, it was 11:25. 55 Bratton immediately
reported to him. Miles arrived shortly thereafter. 56
51Ibid., part 29, p. 2346, Bratton testimony at APHB.
52Ibid., part 9, p. 4525, Bratton testimony before the Joint Committee.
53Ibid., part 34, pp. 19–20, Bratton testimony at Clarke Investigation,
September 14, 1944.
54Ibid., part 9, p. 4517. Bratton testimony before the Joint Committee.
55Ibid., part 29, p. 2420, Bratton testimony at APHB. Marshall believed he
arrived earlier, “more nearly 11;” see his testimony before the Joint Committee
(ibid., part 3, p. 1431).
56Ibid., part 34, pp. 19, 29–30. Also ibid., part 29, p. 2346. Bratton at Clarke
and APHB, testifying both times from notes made by him and General Miles
on or about December 8, 1941.