ALLIED COMMANDERS MEET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 11 June 1945, Page 5

ALLIED COMMANDERS MEET

MILITARY PAGEANT AT FRANKFURT EISENHOWER AND MONTGOMERY DECORATED (Rec. 11.40 a.m.) London, June 10. Field Marshal Montgomery, General Eisenhower and Marshal Zhukov met for the second time this week at Frankfurt to-day in a military pagOant outrivalling even Nazi pre-war festivals, says Reuter’s correspondent. The highlights were two speeches by Marshal Zhukov, before a parade of British and American battle formations, in which he appealed for inter-Allied unity in order to ensure immunity against future aggression. Marshal Zhukov, after decorating General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery with the Russian Order of Victory, said: “Everyone knows the Soviet people carried the mass of the weight of war on their shoulders and suffered the greatest losses. Their country was burnt and ravished more than

any other. They fought cleanly and honestly, so now they can look into the eyes of their Allies. Britain and America supported the Soviet when such support was hard to give. We will never forget that help. We will carry opt our obligations relating to the protection of the world from aggression.” The jewel-encrusted Orders of Victory were the first of these orders bestowed on non-Russians, says a correspondent. They are glittering stars set with 99 diamonds and rubies, conservatively valued at £4OOO each. Five others have previously been presented to Russian marshals.

General Eisenhower after receiving his decoration said: “I am overwhelmed. I am very proud of this honour.” Marshal Zhukov, who was visiting Allied occupied Germany for the first time, also awarded other Soviet decorations to British and American officers while a gigantic parade of 1700 British and American aircraft thundered past m a majestic review. General Eisenhower pointed out the various types to Marshal Zhukov, who once exclaimed, “I love those things.”

Marshal Zhukov in a toast to General Eisenhower at luncheon, said: “Here is a man with the heart of a soldier and the mind of a diplomat, and able to organise many different nationalities under his command and lead them to vicory.” General Eisenhower replying, said: “1 had the advantage of help from the most skilful soldiers and diplomats two great nations could provide, to whom I ewe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.”

MUST HAVE PEACE

General Elsenhower added that all his helpers wanted peace. “Speaking for the Allied forces I say we mean to have peace, even if we have to fight'for it. Speaking for myself I believe there is no man around this table who would not give up all his honours, publicity and everything else ’ this war brought him if he could have avoided the misery and suffering the populations have suffered.”

Air Chief Marshal Tedder, speaking at the luncheon, said: “We military men who won the war have given diplomats a chance to keep the peace,” to which M. Voyshinsky replied: “Diplomats failed in the past. They must succeed now.”

Stocky, round-faced Marshal Zhukov appeared to thoroughly enjoy the luncheon. He and General Eisenhower ended the meal with their heads together harmonising to guitar strains of “Old Black Joe” and “Old Folks at Home.”