NOW DISBANDED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 July 1945, Page 5

NOW DISBANDED

FAMOUS EIGHTH ARMY London, July 29 Ine British Eighth Army disbanded at noon to-day, bringing to an end :ts historic four-year career Mi which it drove the enemy from FI \la mein to Austria. The Rome correspondent says the formation is now known as the British forces ii \ustria under the command of Lieutenant-General McCreary. The Thirteenth Corps, which destroyed Marshal Grariani's army in Libya, has been transferred to* the Allied forces headquarters command under Field-Marshal Alexander. MESSAGE FROM “MONTY” (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) London, July 29. Field Marshal a Montgomery ha* aeiit the following nlsssage to the Eighth Army on its dissolution- “I would like to send a message to my old comrades of many battles. The immortal march of the Eighth Army from the gates of Cairo, along the North African shores to Tunis, through Sicily, and through Italy carried our ever-victorious soldiers to final victory in Europe. It was a great task which was carried out with unfailing spirit and will long shine 'in history. I am proud to recall that j i commanded the Eighth Army during some of its famous exploits. The splenj did spirit of the great family of the Eighth Army will be a shining example for future generations of Empire soldiers.” EISENHOWER’S TRIBUTE General Eisenhower sent the following message: “Allied comrades of the Eighth Army will revere its name, while every man that belonged to it? may forever mingle among those who honour courage, loyalty and devotion to duty. I say goodbye to a great fighfing organisation with the hope that every one of its former members will always permit me to call him friend.” The Deputy Supreme Commander of the Mediterranean, General McNanerny sent the following message: “The debt of all lieedom-loving peoples to the .Eighth Army is immeasurable. Speak- [ ing for the American forces I salute the [ Eighth Army for a job well done.”