ORDERS OF THE DAY IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 5

ORDERS OF THE DAY IN ITALY

Messages To Troops Before Battle (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 12. General Alexander, in an Order of the Day to the troops of the Eighth Army, said : “Throughout the past winter you Jiave fought hard and valiantly and killed many Germans. Perhaps you have-been disappointed that we have not been able to advance faster and further, but I and those who know realize full well how magnificently you have fought amongst these almost unsurmountable obstacles of rocky, trackless mountains in deep snow and in valleys blocked by rivers and against stubborn forces. “The results of these past months may not appear spectacular, but you have drawn into Italy and mauled many of the enemy’s best divisions which he badly needed to stem the advance of the Russian armies in the east. Hitler has admitted that his defeats in the east are largely due to the bitterness of the fighting and to his losses in Italy. This in itself, is a great achievement, and you may well be proud of yourselves, as I am of you. You have gained the admiration of the world and the gratitude of our Russian allies. . ‘‘Today bad times are behind us, and tomorrow we ean see victory ahead. Un-

der ever-increasing blows by the air forces of the United Nations which are mounting every day in intensity, Germany's machine is beginning to crumble. Ihe Allied armed forces are now assembling for the final battles on sea and land and in the air. “From west, north, and south blows are about to fall which will stage the final destruction of the Nazis and bripg freedojn once again to Europe and hast en peace for us. To us in Italy has been given the honour to strike the first blow. We are going to destroy the German armies in Italy. “The fighting will be hard and bitter, and perhaps long, but you are warriors and soldiers of the highest order who. tor more than a year have known only victory. You will be supported by overwhelming aii* forces, find in guns and tanks are far superior to the Germans. No armies have ever entered battle before with a more just and righteous cause. So with God’s help and blessing wejake the field confident of victory.” •‘During the eight months since, your invasion of the Italian mainland you have accomplished results of major strategical and tactical importance to the United Nations,” General Mark Clark said in a similar Order of the Day to his troops of the Fifth Army. “The entire world, including the Axis, knows of the success and significance of the Salerno landing against bitter opposition and of your subsequent capture of Naples in face of the enemy’s determination to deny us the port jyhieh was indispensable to support our further operations in Italy.” The remainder of the Order of the Day was on similar lines to General Alexander’s.