U.S. PRESS COMMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21606, 8 January 1945, Page 4

U.S. PRESS COMMENT

MONTGOMERY’S POST FAVOURABLE REACTION i 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 7. Field Marshal Montgomery, according to Supreme Allied Headquarters, took command of the whole northern flank on the German salient in Belgium on the second day of Field Marshal von Rundstcdt’s offensive, namely December 17. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says that President Roosevelt and General Geo. Marshall. United States Army Chief of Staff, made it. clear that Field Marshal Montgomery's command did not constitute an infringment of General Eisenhower’s supreme command. Furthermore, it is authoritatively learned that the War Department views General Bradley's reduction as only temporary and does not interpret the shift as a slap nt General Bradley. It was pointed out that General Bradley did veomnn work in organising General Patton's counter-blow in the Bastognc salient. He is now engaged in protecting the flanks of General Patton’s spearhead. “Burt News For Germans” The New York Times, in an editorial. answering criticism that the appointment of the British commander will be badly received by American troops, points out that despatches from the front indicate that the men will follow any commander who knows his business, and Field Marshal Montgomery has shown in North Africa, Sicily. Italy and France that he knows his business. The New York Times correspondent. Mr. Drew Middleton, says that the American soldier will gladly wish to keep any commander who will lead him to victory. The New York Sun, in an editorial, says: "The augmentation of Fie)' l Marshal Montgomery’s powers is not good news for Germany. With the oossible exception of General Patton, probably no other Allied field commander is held in higher respect by the Germans. With Montgomery bearing down from the north and Patton driving up from the south, the salient recently thrust into Belgium is in dire peril. These two are old companions-in-arms. Montgomery is a plugger and Patton is a slugger. Montgomery is good at infighting and Patton is superb hitting from any angle. Any regrouping that brings into full play their complementary gifts is bound to work out to their common advantage.