"THEY ASKED FOR IT"

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 5

"THEY ASKED FOR IT"

ITALIANS MUST TAKE CONSEQUENCES LONDON, July 14. "The time has now come to carry the war into Italy and into the Continent of Europe. Tlie Italian overseas Empire has been exterminated and we will now deal with the home country," declared General Montgomery in a message to the British forces under his command before the invasion of Sicily. "To the Eighth Army,"'he added, •* has been given the great honour of representing the British Empire in the Allied force which is now to carry out this task.- On our left will be out American allies. Together we will set about the Italians in their own country in no uncertain'way. They came into this war toj suit themselves and must take the consequences. They asked for it; and now they will get it. The task in front of us will not bo easy, but it will not be so difficult as many we have had in the past and have overcome successfully. "In all our operations," General Montgomery continued, " we have always had the close support of the Royal Navy and the R.A.F. Because of,that support we have always succeeded. In this operation the combined effort of the three fighting services is being applied in tremendous strength. Nothing will be able to stand against it. I ivant all of you, my soldiers, to know that I have complete confidence in the successful outcome' of this operation. Therefore, withufaith in God and with enthusiasm for our cause and for the day of battle, let us enter this contest with stout hearts and determination to conquer. "The eyes of our families, and in fact the whole Empire, will be on us once the battle starts. We will see that they get good news and plenty of it. To each one of you,'whatever be your rank or employment, I. would say ' good luck and good hunting in the home country of Italy.' "