BROADCASTS TO HOLLAND

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24366, 19 September 1944, Page 5

BROADCASTS TO HOLLAND

INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO PATRIOTS DUTCH COMMANDOS IN INVASION ARMY (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) LONDON. Sept. 17. The 8.8.C. this afternoon broadcast a message to patriots living south of the Lek and Rhine rivers, calling on them to assist Allied forces. Dutch commandos landed with tne, other Allied forces in the air-borne invasion of Holland, said an .appeal issued under the authority of.General Eisenhower and broadcast to the Dutch people. The broadcast indicated that the landings took place m the area south of the rivers Rhine and Lek. It also included a message to the German army warning them that the Netherlands Forces of Resistance were recognised as part of the Allied forces. The message to the German army stated: "Powerful Allied forces are fighting on Dutch soil. I therefore address to you the following statement: Netherlands Forces of Resistance are now fighting side by side with the Allied forces. They are instructed to conduct their operations against you in accordance with the rules of war. They are commanded by their own officers under-the leadership of Prince Bernhard, who has been appointed by me as their commander. They are regarded by me as an army under my command. I am determined that every effort shall be- made to trace the authors of any atrocities committed against; members of the forces under my command, and the guilty will be'brought to justice.” The message to the people of the Netherlands says: “The hour for which you have been, waiting so long* has struck. Now the Allied forces are on your soil and Netherlands commandos are operating with them. Your full assistance and obedience to the orders of the Supreme Commander are essential for the early liberation t of the Netherlands.” Forces of Resistance In a statement to the Netherlands Forces of Resistance operating south of the Lek and the Rhine rivers, General Eisenhower asked them to follow precisely the orders from Prince Bernhard and their local commanders, and to avoid as far as possible action against superior enemy forces. They must also safeguard factories, mines, and industrial installations, especially stores of petrol, and as soon as contact is made with the Allies, they must render them every assistance and obey precisely their orders. General Eisenhower advised the population of the unllberated areas south of- the Lek and the Rhine not to attempt any mass rising, but to give all possible help to the Forces of Resistance. Those within the liberated areas could best assist by maintaining complete discipline and remaining quiet until they received orders. ' “To the people of the Netherlands north of the rivers Lek and Rhine and not in the area of active military operations I say that yoUr time for action is not yet. It will come,” said the message. “When it comes you will receive your new instructions. Until then you must remain absolutely quiet and refrain from, any action or demonstration.” Finally, General Eisenhower asked all the people of the Netherlands to listen to broadcast instructions and to circulate leaflets distributed oy the Allied Air Force. “This is the Supreme moment. Fulfil your task loyally. If all play their part the liberation of the Netherlands will be achieved.' Long live the Netherlands!” he concluded.

Reuter's military correspondent says it is possible that the operation is aimed at leap-frogging the great water belt which separates the northern and southern Netherlands. This line is far tougher for the attackers than the Siegfried Line, and it is described as the Germans’ strongest defence line in western Europe. Hundreds of Allied aeroplanes supported the operation before and after the landings, attacking enemy positions, airfields, barracks, and anti-air-craft gun sites. The weather over Holland was clear, with good visibility. About 850 Flying Fortresses escorted by about 100 Mustangs, attacked enemy anti-aircraft positions in Holland. No enemy aeroplanes were encountered. A correspondent with the invaders says he saw gliders drawn up after landing in neat, orderly rows, while there was no sign of the Luftwaffe, STRIKE OF DUTCH RAILWAYMEN INSTRUCTION GIVEN IN BROADCAST (Rec. 7 pm.) LONDON, Sept. 17, The Dutch Government, broadcasting to Holland on Sunday night, called for a general strike on the Netherlands railways. It said: “After consultation with the High Command, the Dutch Government deems that the moment has come to instruct a general strike of all railway workers in order to impede German transport and troop concentrations. "The Government is fully aware of. the great responsibility it is taking, but after careful consultation it is of the opinion that the strike is of such primary military importance that it must be put into practice without delay. “The Government appreciates the difficulties that the strike measure will cause, and therefore leaves the methods of carrying out the measure to individual judgment. It wishes all faithful and courageous patriots to carry out this action to the best of their abilities.” ALBANIAN PATRIOTS ACTIVE (Rec. 5.5 pm.) LONDON,_ Sept. 17. •The Albanian National Liberation Army is sending patrols each night into all the principal cities, including the capital Tirana. Patriots are fighting quislings and Germans over a wide area in Albania, gravely menacing the withdrawal of the enemy forces northward from Greece,.