TO EIGHTH ARMY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3283, 2 July 1943, Page 6

TO EIGHTH ARMY

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE COPY SENT TO GAZETTE WORD FROM SGT. PHILIP CLARK

A copy of the following personal message sent on .January 23 by General IL L. Montgomery to all officers and other ranks of the Eighth Army has been sent to the Hauraki Plains Gazette by Sergeant Philip Clark, a former well-known resident of Pipiroa, Hauraki Plains, who is at present serving with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East. The message reads as follows:— EIGHTH ARMY Personal Message From The Army Commander 1. To-day. 23rd. January, exactly three months after we began the battle of Egypt, the Eighth Army has captured Tripoli and has driven the enemy away to the west towards Tunisia. By skilful withdrawal tactics the enemy has eluded us. though we have taken heavy toH of his army and air forces.

2. The defeat of the enemy in battle at Alan;ein. the pursuit of his beaten army, and the final capture of Tripoli —a distance of some 1400 miles from Alamein—has all been accomplished in three months. This achievement is probable' without parallel in history. It could not have been done unless eveiy soldier in the Army had pulied his full weight all the time. I congratulate the whole Army, and send my personal thanks to each one of you for the wonderful support you have given me.

3. On your behalf I have sent a special message to th'? Allied Air Forces that have co-operated with us. I don’t suppose that any army has ever been supported by such a magnificent air striking force. I have always maintained that the Eighth Army and the R.A.F., Western Desert, together constitute one fighting machine and therein lies our great strength. 4. In the hour of success we must not forget the splendid work that has been done by those soldiers working day and night in back areas and on the lines of communication. There are many soldiers quietly doing their duty in rear areas who are unable to take part in the triumphal entry into captured cities; but they are vital to our fighting machine and we could gain no successes if they failed to pull their full weight. I refer especially to stevedores at our bases, to fitters in the workshops to clerks in rear offices, and so on. I would like to make a special mention of our R.A.S.C. drivers; these men drive long distances by day and night for long periods; they always deliver the goods. The R.A.S.C. has risen to great heights during the operations we have undertaken, and as a corps it deserves the grateful thanks of every soldier in the Army. 5. There is much work still in front of us. But I know that you are all ready for any task that you may be

called on to carry out. 6. Once again I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

B. L. MONTGOMERY, General, G.0.C.-C.. Eighth Army. Jan. 23, 1943.