DISBANDING OF 8TH ARMY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24632, 31 July 1945, Page 5

DISBANDING OF BTH ARMY

MILITARY LEADERS’ TRIBUTES LONDON, July 29. Military commanders from all over the world have paid tribute to the Bth Army, which was disbanded at noon yesterday. The* Bth Army contained not only men from Great Britain, but from Canada, Australia. New Zealand, India, Africa, Poland, Greece, and Italy. The exploits of the Bth Army from El Alamem onwards were reviewed by its last commander, LieutenantGeneral Sir Richard McCreery, who referred to the Army’s achievements at Wadi Akarit, Enftdaville, and Monte Casslno. He said there had been a great spirit of comradeship and unselfish service among all ranks and this spirit must continue. If it did so it was a good augury for the future of the world. “I would like to send a message to my old comrades of many battles," says Field-Marshal Montgomery. “The immortal march of the Bth Army from the gates qf Cairo along the North African shores to Tunis, through Sicily and through Italy, carried our ever-vic-torious soldiers to the final victory in Europe. It was a great task which was carried out with unfailing spirit, and it will long shine in history, 1 am proud to recall that I commanded the Bth Army during some of its famous exploits, The splendid spirit of the great family of the Bth Army will be a shining example for future generations of Empire soldiers.” General Eisenhower sent the following message: “Allied comrades of the Bth Army will revere its name while every man that belonged to it may for ever mingle among those who honour courage, loyalty, and devotion to duty. I say good-bye to this great fighting organisation, with the hope that every one of its former members will always permit me to call him a friend.” The Deputy-Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean theatre, LieutenantGeneral Narney, sent this message: “The debt of all freedom-loving peoples to the Bth Army is immeasurable. Speaking for the American forces, I salute the Bth Army for a job well done.” No ceremony or parade marked the end of the Bth Army, for although the Army as such has ceased to exist, its ■men are separated under various commands, continuing their occupation duties. The 13th Corps, which will occupy Venetia Giulia, including Trieste, under Field-Marshal Alexander's command, comprises the 2nd New Zealand, 10th Indian, and 56th London Divisions. Another part of the Bth Army, forming the sth Corps under LieutenantGeneral McCreary’s command, is garrisoning the British zone of Austria, comprising Carinthia and Styria. PREMIER WARNS ITALIANS IMPATIENCE WITH OCCUPATION “ BILL NOT YET SETTLED »* LONDON, July 29. The Prime Minister of Italy (Signor Parri), in a broadcast to-night, indulged in some plain speaking to Italians. He said that Italy had not yet settled the bill run up by Fascism, and that all opposition to, and impatience with, the Allied occupation was dangerous and useless. Referring to recent political events, he said that the people must be allowed to express their will freely. There must be no machine-gun elections. Signor Parri, condemning mob justice, described those who participated in any such demonstration as irrespon sible scoundrels. He defended the par- 1 tisans against attacks made on them, and said that certain other people were using the partisans as a cloak for their own activities. Referring to the partisans’ demand for a purge, he said that while he agreed with them, a purge was something that had to be undertaken most carefully so as to avoid any injustices, He added that the change from tyranny to freedom meant that the Italian people had to be re-educated. The Allied Commission has recommended that the combined chiefs of staff should permit Italy to operate a modest domestic air line to help solve the serious transport problem. A spokesman for the commission said that the revival of Italy’s aircraft manufacturing industry was a matter for the peace conference.