'MONTY' THE HERO

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1945, Page 8

'MONTY' THE HERO

FRANTIC WELCOME BY PARISIANS

DECORATED BY DE GAULLE

(U.P.A. and 8.0. W.) Rec. 12.20 p.m. LONDON. May. 25

Field - Marshal Montgomery was given an almost frantic welcome by Parisians today, according to Paris messages. When he drove with General Koenig. the military governor, along the Champs Elysees, the car was stopped by crowds anxious to shake hands with him. The police eventually were able to clear a narrow lane, and the car drove slowly on, amidst tumultuous cheers, to the Arc de Triomphe, where the field-marshal laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He and the general then drove to the British Military Exhibition.

The police stated that the crowd was the largest they had ever handled on a working day in Paris. In a colourful ceremony in the courtyard of the Palais dcs Ivalides General de Gaulle conferred the Grand Cross of ■ the Legion of Honour on Field-Marshal Montgomery, while French military bands played and crowds cheered. General de Gaulle, who was surrounded by high British. American, and French officers, faced the British field-marshal and said simply, "In the name of France and by virtue of the powers conferred on me, I gave you the Grand Cross." He then draped upon Field-Marshal Montgomery's shoulders the broad crimson sash, from which hung the large cross of white, green, and yellow.

At a luncheon given in his honour at the office of the Lord President, the field-marshal said that Europe needs France —not only her soldiers, writers, and scientists, but the simple, enduring virtue of French family life. He went on: "It is my privilege and great pleasure to speak to you today in your famous capital. I have come here to open the British Military Exhibition. In it we seek to show you something of the part played by the armies of the British Empire in this war, which is now happily over. In the days of this war the British and French Empires suffered some grievous wounds, and to many of our enemy those wounds looked mortal. The British Empire rallied from these blows, but in due course managed to fight back. France was struck a heavy blow, and for a while her home lay prostrate under the heel of the invader. But though you can occupy a country, you cannot quell the spirit of a fighting race. Elsewhere the fight went on, and it grew in violence as the years passed." In the evening the Paris crowd broke the cordon outside the British Embassy and repeatedly shouted: "Montee!" Field-Marshal Montgomery appeared and said: "I speak French very badly. How do you do? Thank you very much. Now go away." The crowd dispersed, thoroughly enjoying the mild admonition.