Evening star., 1946-09-10

tne 1Ztn Army Group IN Europe,
after the colonel had been sent to
help the British forces OF Montgom-
cry in Holland.
Col. Sylvester was relieved after
his corps commander, 1t. Gen. Wal
ton H. Walker had complained to
Gen. Patton and after the accusa-
tions reached Gen. Eisenhower
through Gen. Bradley, according to
Attorney Samuel T. Ansell, retired
Army general and counsel for Col.
Sylvester.
At the Office of Gen. Eisenhower
1t was learned, however, that no
request has yet been received for the
Chief of Staff to appear at the next
session of the inquiry court on
Thursday.
Field Marshal Montgomery is due
in Washington late today but it is
not known whether he will accept
the request to testify.
Mr.. Ansell says the British officer
is acquainted with the outstanding
service of Col Sylvester while serv-
ing with the British forces in Hol-
land.
According to Mr.. Ansell, no writ
ten accusations ever were made
against Col. Sylvester and he said
that all the complaints against the
officer were based on 'Fhearsay and
gossip"
Said to have Led Drive.
Contrary to these complaints, Mr..
Ansell declared that Col. Silvester's S
division had spearheaded Gen. Pat
tons crushing drive across France in
the summer of 1914 and that several
congratulatory orders of the day
were issued complimenting the var
ious divisions, including Col. Sill
vester's, upon their successes.
His division, Mr.. Ansell said,
played an important part in the
capture of Chartres, Melun, Chateau
Thierry, Reims and Verdun before
Gen. Patton's army was temporarily
stopped in its assault on Metz.
1t was during this temporary stop
that Col. Sylvester was transferred
to the British line in Holland.
On January 10, 1945, Associated
Press dispatches from Army head
quarters in Germany, in comment
ing on the demotion of Col. Sylvester,
said that he had been relieved of his
command after his division had been
badly mauled by the Germans near
Venlo in November, 1914.
Relieved by Gen. Hasbrouck.
Col. Sylvester was replaced by Brig.
Gen. Robert w. Hasbrouck, of
Kingston, N. Y, who also has been
requested to appear before the court
of inquiry here, according to Mr..
Ansell.
Following his demotion, Col. Sill
vester was confined to local hospi-
tai and underwent thorough phys
ical checkup.
Gen. Bradley already has testified
in the court of inquiry and said that,
in relieving the colonel of his COM
mand, he accepted the word Of Gen.
Patton on Col. Silvester's alleged
inefficiency
Gen. Walker also testified at one
of the preceding sessions of the
court and said that he did not rec
ommend Col. Silvester's dismissal
because of his outstanding record.
The court of inquiry is made up
of 1t. Gen. Albert Wedemeyer, pres
ident; Maj. Gen. James E. CLANCY,
Maj. Gen. w. H. Morris and Brig.
Gen. H. j. Mallory.
Commissioned in 1911.
Col. Sylvester has been in the
Army since 1911 when he accepted
a commission as second lieutenant
shortly after his graduation from
Maryland University, then Maryland
Agricultural College at College Park.
During World War I he served as
a major of infantry, was wounded
in France and was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross. In the
interim between the wars he was
an instructor of infantry at Fort
Benning, Ga, with the rank of
colonel. . ~ ~ :,
He was given the temporary rank
of brigadier general in. 194l and
major general in 1912.