INVASION MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1944, Page 6

INVASION MESSAGES

EISENHOWER’S ORDER OF DAY

CONFIDENCE IN TROOPS

LONDON, June 6. General Eisenhower issued the following order of the day to each individual in the Allied Expeuitionaiy Forces:— , . ; “Soldiers, sailors, and airmen ol the Allied Expeditionary forces you are about to embark on the treat crusade to which we have striven these many.months. The eyes of the woila are upon you; the hopes and P ra yeis of liberty-loving people everyw.here march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-m-arms on other fronts you will bring about tne destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples ol Europe, and security for ourselves in a tree world. Your task is not an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and' battle hardened. He will fight savagely, but this is the yeai 1944. Much has happened ’ since lhe Nazi triumphs of. 1940 and 1941. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats in open battle, man to man. Our air seriously reduced their strength in th. air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home lionts hav given us overwhelming superioiny in weapons and munitions oi war, anct have placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. tide has turned; the free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill m battle. We will accept nothing jess than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessing of Amnghty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” , . The order was distributed to assault elements after embarkation and read by appropriate commanders to all other troops in the Allied Expeditionary Forces.

ADVICE TO W. EUROPE

“AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS”

LONDON, June 6

A message to the people of Europe was issued by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces (General Eisenhower) in an order of the day. This was broadcast in all the langaugcs of Western Europe and copies were carried by Allied soldiers landing in France. “People of Western Europe,—A landing was made this morning on the coast of France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Forces,” General Eisenhower’s order began. “This is part of the concerted Allied plans for the liberation of Europe in conjunction with our great Russian allies. Although the initial assault may not have been made in your own country, the hour of your liberation is approaching. All people, men and women, young and old, have a part to play.” General Eisenhower told all resistance movements to follow the instructions they had received. Those who were not members of resistance groups he told to continue passive resistance but not to endanger their lives needlessly. He asked them to avoid a premature uprising and to be patient.

To the people of France, he said he was sure they would play a worthy part in the liberation of their homeland. His message to them was that they should follow the instructions of their leaders. Willing obedience to the orders he gave as Supreme Commander was essential. Their resistance to the German invaders and their Vichy collaborators at home and overseas had been an inspiration to all. He said that those who had co-operated with the enemy would be removed.

“The landing is but the opening phase of the campaign in the West; great battles lie ahead,” the order concluded. “I call on all who love freedom to stand with us now. Together wo shall achieve victory.” EXILED LEADERS’ BROADCASTS “BE READY FOR ORDERS” LONDON, June 6. instructions to resistance groups in their countries to be ready for orders received by their leaders from the Allied Command were broadcast by the heads of European exile governments to-day. They told others of; their countrymen to impede the enemy where they could but to re-j train from violent measures until called on.

The Belgian Prime Minister (Mr. Pierlot), addressing the inhabitants of occupied Belgium in a broadacst from. London, declared: “The awaited hour of liberation has come.” He warned Belgians that an exceedingly difficult phase of the war had been entered, and said: “I trust that you will be moderate and patient, and will not get embroiled in any premature operation. Th? Government is convinced.” he continued, “that you will do everything possible towards the overthrow of the German military machine.” He also told the people that the organised groups, who were trained in sabotage, were of more use at this particular juncture, and also issued a warning against possible false alarms from the German radio stations. His countrymen, said the Prime Minister, would'be well advised to listen only to the Allied stations. “You will be told later what to do,” he concluded. Meanwhile, maintain your perfect organisation. Be united as never before, and await the outcome with confidence.”

‘Stick together and be prepared; long live the cause of freedom.” said King Haakon in a broadcast to the people of Norway. King Haakon said the news of the landing as a link in the great strategic plan to liberate the peoples of Europe had been received with profound joy and satisfaction. He called on his countrymen to do anything they could to impede the enemy, but to do nothing which would expose themselves o'r others. That did not apply to the organised resistance groups who were in touch with the Allies and had received orders. They would receive other orders from time to time. They should stand firm at their posts in a spirit of self-sacrifice and confidence.

Telling his people of the great blow against Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands (Dr. Gerbrandij) said resistance groups had their tasks allotted to them by the Allied Commander-ir.-Chief. Their leaders were working in close

touch with the Allied High Command. Other Dutchmen' should stay at their posts and not try open measures. Violent resistance by. them Would only result in bloodier reprisals than ever. Those ready to sacrifice their own lives were urged to consider that these reprisals would endanger a greatmany innocent people.

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA

MR SULLIVAN'S COMMENT

WELLINGTON, June G

“To-day the fateful news has- been, received that the invasion of the fortress of Europe has been, launched, and that operations are under way in which Allied forces are engaged,” said the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Sullivan) to-night. “We have waited patiently for this event. We know that the operation is undertaken in the fullness of our power, and that with God’s help it will be successful. “The announcement which has just ben made is necessarily brief, and some hours may pass before any further definite news is available from Allied Headquarters as to the progress of operations. Past experience. indicates that the German news services may make claims that the landings have not succeeded in achieving their object. These should be entirely disregarded since it will be necessary in the initial stages to observe reticence, and to ensure that vital information is not given to the enemy.

“It is to this day that-the people of the occupied countries of Europe have looked with patience and hope. They have suffered long and grievously under- the heel of the Nazi oppressor; but they have now certain assurance that the armies from the West joined with the forces of Soviet Russia from the East, will assuredly drive the oppressor from theii’ midst. Much bitter fighting lies ahead for those engaged in these mighty operations. Valuable lives will be lost, and many men will be •wounded; but their sacrifices shall

not have been in vain if their victory is secured through the stern endeavour of the men and women of all freedom-loving countries of the world by a right and just peace. “We here in New Zealand can help in this great struggle by bending our wills arid our energies to the production oi' those foodstuffs and other supplies which are needed so urgently to support the men and women of Britain and the Allied armies in the field. Let nothing divide us in this stern endeavour, and let us humbly petition God, in the homes of our’ people and in their churches, that this mighty battle shall be won, and victory secured to the enduring good of al! men.”

AUSTRALIAN VIEW

SYDNEY, June 6

“The battle which is now beginning will grow constantly in scale and intensity for many weeks to come. I shall not attempt to speculate upon its course. I am sure that everybody in this country and every loyal person throughout the United Nations is praying -for the success of the Allied operations,” Mr Forde, Acting-Prime Minister, said tonight. “Many of our Australian airmen are participating in these operations. They will play their part in the same gallant way as the Australian fighting forces nave played in the operations in almost every war theatre. It behoves every citizen of Australia to bear in mind that this is the most critical operation of the whole war. This is a time when every individual must put forth the maximum effort to ensure that Australia pulls her full weight in events which are of arresting significance, and which, we hope, will be the beginning of the end of the forces of tyranny. This is an hour when all of the people of the British Empire and o£ the Allies will stand shoulder to shoulder as one united body of men and women, to see' the struggle through to a complete and overwhelming victory.”