TEMPORARY SHIFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21605, 6 January 1945, Page 3

TEMPORARY SHIFT

ARMIES’_CONTROL FORCES REGROUPED AMERICAiTcOMMENT (li a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 5. The War Department confirmed the report that Field Marshal Montgomery has been placed in command ot the American Ninth Army and the major portion of the American First Army, and said the shift was due to the emergency caused by the German break-through in Belgium and Luxemburg. War Department officials said that over-all command of the two American armies was given to Field Marshal Montgomery because the German offensive cut them off from General Bradley's headquarters. Whether the shift will be permanent depends entirely on General Eisenhower. Regrouping enables the use of all troops northwards of the Ardennes salient as one military unit. Field Marshal Montgomery’s command presumably covers not only the forward elements but also extends to the rear to include supply, replacement and similar units.

It is believed that all armies along the southern flank of the salient will remain under General Bradley, both commanders being responsible to General Eisenhower, with General Bradley over-all commander southwards.’' Tlie chief of the major combat front is General Patton.