NEW SLOGAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 68, 18 September 1944, Page 5

NEW SLOGAN

"FORWARD INTO GERMANY-

MESSAGE BY MONTGOMERY

LONDON, September 17. A few hours before the Allied airborne operation in Holland began. Field-Marshal Montgomery addressed a message to his men. He said:

"I want today, September 17,, to speak, to all soldiers in the group of armies under my command. What a change has come over the scene since I last spoke to you on August 21! Then we were moving up towards the Seine, having inflicted a decisive defeat on the German armies in Normandy. Today the Seine is far behind us. The Allies have removed the enemy from practically the. whole (jf France and Belgium, except in a few places, and we stand at the door of Germany. And by the terrific energy of your advance northwards from the Seine you brought quick relief to ; our families and loved ones in England by occupying the launching sites of the flying bomb. ■ ■

"We have advanced a great way in a short time, and we have accomplished much. The total of prisoners captured is now nearly 400,000. and there are many more to be collected from those ports in Brittany and the Pas de Calais that are still holding out.

"The enemy has suffered inormous losses in men and material. It is becoming problematical how much longer he can continue the struggle. Such a historic march of events seldom has taken place in history in such a short space of time. You have every reason to be very proud of what you have done. Let us say to each other, 'This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.'

"Now the Allies are closing in on Nazi .Germany from the east, from the south, and from the west. \Her satellite Powers have thrown the towel into the ring. They have had enough of the Nazis, and they now fight on our side. Our American allies are fighting on German soil in many places. Very soon we shall all be there.

"The Nazi leaders have ordered the

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German people to defend their country to the last and to dispute every inch of ground. That is a very natural order, and we would do the same ourselves in a similar situation. But the mere issuing of orders is quite useless; they require good men and troops to carry Jiem out. The great mass of the German people know that their situation is already hopeless and they will thmk more clearly on this subject as we advance deeper into their country They have little wish to continue the struggle.

"Whatever orders are issued in Germany, and whatever action is taken on them, no human endeavour can now prevent the complete and utter defeat of the armed forces of Germany. Their fate is certain, and their defeat will be absolute.

"The triumphant cry now is 'Forward into Germany; good luck to you all; and good hunting in Germany.'"