VICTORY FOR ALEXANDER’S FORCES

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1945, Page 5

VICTORY FOR ALEXANDER’S FORCES

ONE MILLION MEN INVOLVED

Mr Churchill’s Tribute in Commons

RUGBY, May 2. The German Army in Italy has surrendered. The official announcement states: “Enemy land, sea and air forces commanded by ColonelGeneral Heinrich von Wieting-hof-Scheel, have surrendered unconditionally to Marshal Alexander.” , . Tx-1,, The terms of surrender in Italy a ’ First Unconditional surrender by the German Commander-in-Chiet of all forces under his command or control, on land, sea or air, _ to the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean. The surrender stipulates it is independent of, and will be superseded by any general instrument of surreender imposed by or on behalf of the United Nations, and is applicable to Germany and the German armed forces as a whole. , Secondly: The cessation of all hostilities on land, sea or air by enemy forces at noon on May 2, G.M.T. , - Thirdly: The immediate immobilisation and disarmament of enemy ground, sea and air forces. Fourthly: Obligation on the part of the German Commander-in-Chief in the south-west to carry out any further orders issued by the Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean. Fifthly: Disobedience of orders or failure to comply with them to be dealt with in accordance with accepted laws and usages of war. The German radio ''has asked Germans in Italy to obey the surrender order. The instrument of surrender was signed on the afternoon of April 29 at Allied Field Headquarters at Caserta, bv two German plenipotentiaries and by Lieutenant-General Morgan, Chief of Staff of the Allied Forces Headquarters. After signing the document the two Germans returned by a secret route to ColonelGeneral Wietinghof-Scheel’s headquarters in the high Alps to arrange for the surrender of German and Italian Fascist land, air and naval forces. The territory in Wietinghof-Scheel’s south-west command includes all northern Italy to the Isonzo River in the north-east and the Austrian provinces of Varalberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and portions of Corinthia and Stryria. The enemy’s total forces in-, eluding combat and rearguard echelon troops surrendered to the Allies are estimated to number nearly 1,000,000 men. The fighting troops include remnants of 22 German and six Italian Fascist divisions. The surrender will allow tire Allies to advance unhindered to within 10 miles of Berchtesgaden. With the surrender of the German Commander-in-Chief Marshal Alexander now has under his control an area to thirty miles south of Munich. The surrender has made any German southern redoubt impossible.

30,000 SQUARE MILES GIVEN UP. LONDON, May 2. .4 British United Press Rome corresV pondent says that the Germans de- '• livered up an area of roughly 30,000 J squares mile, including the Brenner Pass, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Linz. The German generals who signed the ?, surrender in General Morgan’s office in the presence of British, American and Russian staff officers, wore ciy- • ilian clothes for security reasons. They were acting on their own initia- : tive. They negotiated a separate surrender without consulting the GerJ man High Command, and were pre- .. '-I' pared to carry it out on their own -■< without instructions from above. Dr Rudolf Rahn, the German Ami bassador to the Italian Fascist Goveminent has surrendered to the AlIles. Alexander’s Order of the Daj r “NO PRAISE IS HIGH ENOUGH" RUGBY, May 2. Marshal Alexander has issued an order of the day on the surrender of the German Army in Italy. It reads: “Soldiers, sailors and airmen: After nearly two years of hard and continuous fighting which started in Sicily in the summer of 1943, you stand to-day victors of the Italian campaign. You have won a victory which ended in the complete and utter surrender of the German armed forces in the Mediterranean. By clearing Italy of the last Nazi aggressor, you have liberated a country of more than 40,000,000 people. The remnants of the once proud army laid down their arms to you, close on a million men, with all arms, equipment and impedimenta. You may well be proud of this great and victorious campaign, which will live in history as one of the greatest and most successful ever waged. No praise is high enough for the sailors, soldiers and airmen and workers of the united forces in Italy for your magnificent triumph. My gratitude to you and my admiration is unbounded. and only equalled by the pride which is mine in being your j Commander-in-Chief.” GENERAL MARK CLARK’S ORDER LONDON, May 2. General Mark Clark in an order' of the day to the Eighth and Fifth Armies said: “Yours has been a long hard fight—the longest of any Allied troons. Fighting on the Continent of Europe you demonstrated . something new and remarkable in the annals of warfare by showing that a huge fighting force composed of units from many countries, with adverse languages and customs can become an effective harmonious team. The war is'not over. There remains the all-important task of inflicting a similar complete defeat on the remaining enemy—Japan. Each of us in the 15th. Army group must, continue without pause to give full measure of effort wherever we are called on to serve.” The Deputy-Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean, General Joseph McNarney, in a message to the troops said: “Now with the final overall victory in sight, let us go forward until the last foe (Japan) is crushed.” Mr Churchilfs Tribute ANNOUNCEMENT IN COMMONS RUGBY, M— ” Mr Churchill in the House of Commons, announced the unconditional surrender of the land, sea and air forces of Germany in Italy. Before 7.30 the Prime Minister entered the House and proceedings were suspended in order to hear a statement from him. The Prime Minister, amid

cheers, said: “I promise I would come to the House if anything of major importance occurred and I would ask the indulgence of the House to make a short statement.” He then made the announcement of the surrender of the German armies in Italy to Marshal Alexander. “Geographically, the surrender I puts us into close touch with the poi sitions of the United States armies "in the north,” continued Mr Churchill. “Not only has a vast area of territory vital in its character fallen into the hands of Marshal Alexander, but the actual surrender which has taken , place so far, comprising the numbers it does, constitutes, I believe, a record for the whole of this war, and cannot but be helpful to further events for which we are longing. This army in Italy, American and British, is commanded by our trusted General, who having under him General Clark, this efficient and daring American soldier, had a marvellous record since they first landed on the peninsula. The landing at Salerno and the tremendous fighting at Anzio, when we tried a turning movement to capture Rome, the driving of the enemy forward, and northward, has placed an enormous effort upon the troops and has been attended by very heavy losses during the stern fighting. “What has made it particularly difficult and depressing for this army is the tremendous inroads which have been made upon it in ordei' to help forward the great operations elsewhere. In June and July last year what very nearly amounted to an army was taken from those in Italv while only a small corresponding withdrawal took place on the enemy side. Now quite recently, a few months ago, feeling it was probably beyond the strength of this army to make a decisivs attack, we moved another large addition of a division to the Western Front and some others went to Greece. This army was an army stripped of its strength and facing an enemy force which must have been considered far stronger, because it had the duty of defending mountain ranges and afterwards plains flooded with autumn and winter rains, and which certainly in number of divisions exceeded those who were left to attack him. Moreover, this force was of so many different nations that only the personality of commanding qualities, could have held them all woven together. “Ail these fore,as, weakened as they had been, were not discouraged. Divided as they were by racial differences, they were united and resolved upon their purpose. And now their reward has come, and I am very glad it has come at a time when it’can be singled out and stands out, and brings to a conclusion the work of as gallant an army as ever marched, and bring to a pitch of fame and military reputation the commander, who always, I may say, enjoyed the fullest confidence of the House.”

PRESIDENT TRUMAN'S CONGRATULATIONS. RUGBY, May 2. President Truman sent a message of congratulation to Marshal Alexander, which says: On this momentous occasion' of the surrender of the German armed forces in Italy, I convey to you from the P'resident and people of the United States congratulations on the. signal success of the Allied armies, navies and air forces under your command, gained only by persistent heroic effort through many months of a most difficult campaign. I send also to you personally our appreciation of the high ordei' of your leadership, which has conducted our armies to their complete victory.” The President also sent a message of congratulation to General Clark. N.Z. Hears News MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS P.A. WELLINGTON, May 2 Mr. Nash said to-day that the first news of the surrender to Marshal Alexander was passed to the Government here by Mr. Churchill, who sent this message: “New Zealand troops were, in at the death and have fought with splendid tenacity throughout.” 'To this message, said Mr. Nash the following reply was sent on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand: “This is wonderful news, and your tribute to the part played by the New Zealand Division in operations is greatly appreciated. V/e are fully sensible that New Zealand’s part in this success was due in no small measure to the inspiring leadership of Marshal Alexander and General Freyberg and the co-opera-tion in arms ,of British and American and all other forces under their command.” Mr. Nash said that Mr. Fraser at San Francisco had been kept fully informed of the developments and had sent the following message to General Freyberg and the Division: “I send New Zealand’s and my own warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks to you, your officers and men upon the glorious conclusion ol your task in Europe.” Mr. Nash added the following messages have since been sent to General Frevberg and men of the Second N.Z.E.F. to Marshal Alexander • and to General McGreery, Commander of the Eighth Army. .To General Freyberg: “The heart of every New Zealander is overflowing with to-day’s news, with relief that the stubborn campaign through rough country and bitter weather is ended, and with pride that New Zealanders, who always shared in the hard going, should have been triumphantly at the spearhead of victory. We are proud beyond words of our men and their commander. To you their great commander and to them we extend our deepest gratitude.”

To Marshal Alexander: “With pride and admiration the Government and people of New' Zealand offer our congratulations to you and the magnificent "officers and men under your command. The culmination in the brilliant complete victory of the campaign which has been characterised in the stubborn continuous courageous effort, is a tribute to your masterly direction. We are especially conscious of your skill in organising and harmonising forces of many nations, so each has made his finest effort tn achieve the common goal. New Zealanders have been proud to se-ve under you.” To General McGreery: "At this historic decisive moment in the war. in ‘Furnne. the Government and neonle of New Zealand recall with pride the association of their Division w’th the iricxhth Army. From Alamein through North Africa. Ital.z to Austria, this armv has written a. glorious page in the history of warfare. To vou and your predecessors in command. Montgomery and Leese, we nav tribute,for your gallant and inspired leadership,

and extend our warm thanks and gratitude for all that you and they nave done/’

Tne following telegrams were sent by the Governor General to Marshall Alexander: “I send to you the most sincere congratulations on the crushing defeat you have inflicted on the enemy resulting in the final surrender of all German forces in Italy, and a considerable portion of Austria. Your inspiring leadership throughout the past years made history .and has culminated, as we were all confident it would, in an overwhelming victory, the tidings of which will bring relief and joy throughout the Empire.” To General Freyberg: “To you and all ranks, past and present, of the Second New Zealand Division I express my profound admiration for the magnincent part you have all played since the beginning of tne war, and in the final total defeat of the German forces in Italy. When Britain was menaced by invasion, in Greece, Crete, North Africa, and in Italy, you have always been in the forefront of battle, and in each phase you have added lustre to the name of Anzac. News of your recent splendid victory has brought much relief great joy to every home in New Zealand. My best wishes to you all.” The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) sent the following message to General Freyberg: “Please accept and convey, to your officers and men my warmest congratulations on the latest accomplishments of the division resulting in such a decisive and overwhelming victory. From its first landing in Egypt over five years ago, right onwards until now you and your men have earned a world wide reputation for fighting ability, grit, determination and valour, which will illumine the. pages of history. By your magnificent co-operation with the fighting services of other nations, freedom and safety of democracies of the world are again assured.” The High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand (Sir Harry Batterbee) in a letter to Mr. Nash, says :“I feel I must write to you on this great day in New Zealand’s history. In his message to you Mr. Churchill expressed the feelings of the people of Britain regarding the share of the New Zealand Division in to-day’s great victory. All New Zealanders and all friends of New Zealand will be proud of the great part played by the Second N.Z.E.F. throughout the campaigns from Egypt to North _ Italy which have now ended in triumph. I feel sure that Marshal Alexander's campaign in Italy will in history rank with the Duke of Wellington’s Peninsula campaign in the war against Napoleon as having a decisive influence on the victorious conclusion of the European war as a whole. As one who during the last six years has become very deeply attached to New Zealand I can enter into the joy felt throughout the Dominion at the end of the long hard fought struggle in Italy. Mv heart goes out to all the many homes which have lost their dear ones. May their comfort _be that it was the sacrifice of their Jives which made to-day's victory possible.” , . Mr. Nash in conveying his warm thanks for this generous tribute to. the Second N.Z.E.F., said: We are filled with admiration for the magnificent direction of the Italian campaign by Marshal Alexander and share your view that this campaign had a decisive effect on the Euiopean war.”