REPAYING ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24636, 15 July 1943, Page 3

REPAYING ITALY

MESSAGE TO TROOPS MONTGOMERY'S CONFIDENCE (Reed. 6.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 14 "The time has now come to carry the war into Italy and into the Continent of Europe: the Italian overseas empire has been exterminated and we will now deal with the home country," said General Sir Bernard Montgomery, commander of the Eighth Army, in a message to the British forces under his command before the invasion of Sicily. He added: "To the Eighth Army has been given the great honour of representing the British Empire in the Allied force which now is to carry out this task. American Comrades "On our left will he our American Allies. Together we will set about the Italians in their own country in no uncertain way. They came into this war to suit themselves and must talce the consequences. They asked for it and now they will get it. "The task in front of. us will not bo easy, but it will not be so difficult as many we have bad in tho past and have overcome successfully. "In all our operat ions we have always had the close support of the Royal Navy and tho Uoyal Air Force. Because of that support we have always

succeeded. In this operation the combined effort of the three fighting services is being applied in tremendous strength. Nothing will be able to stand against it. Determined To Conquer "I want all of you, my soldiers, to know that 1 have complete confidence in the successful outcome of this operation. Therefore, with faith in God and with enthusiasm for our cause and for the day of battle, let us enter this contest with stout hearts and determination to conquer. "The eyes of our families, and in fact of the whole Empire, will he on us once the battle starts. We will see that they get good news and plenty of it. To each one of you, whatever may be your rank or employment, I would say: 'Good luck and good hunting in the home country of Italy.' " 1 ' i SOUTH AFRICANS' ROLE LONDON, July 13 Reuter's correspondent in Algiers says units of the South African Engineering Corps, which have been in tho vanguard of all the North African campaigns, are with the Allied forces in Sicily. They have the most important job of seeking water supplies, as shortage of water will be one of the early problems the Allied troops will have to face. Even in peacetime the island an adequate supply. CANADIANS WELCOMED LONDON, July !:? A press messages quotes General Montgomery's welcome to the Canadians on joining the Eighth Army. They received the greeting on their way to Sicily. "I want to give a hearty welcome to the Canadian troops now joining the Eighth Army," said General -Montgomery. "I know well the fighting men from Canada. They are magnificent soldiers, and the long and careful training they have received in England will now be put to good use." FRENCH TROOPS ASSIST (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 14 "French troops are fighting at the side of the Allies in Sicily." said General Girand in his first public speech in America. He was addressing West Point cadets. "The battle for Tunisia was the first victory. To-day in Sicily British. American and some French troops arc winning an even greatervictory. To-morrow they will liberate Europe, but a task will remain in the Pacific, where French troops will also fight at your side until final victory is won." HIGHLANDERS FIGHTING LONDON, July US The Berlin radio says that the 51st Highland Division is engaged in the fighting in Sicily. It also names the following additional Allied units said to be on tho islandßritish: Fifth Infantry Division, First Canadian Infantry Division, Twenty-second Tank Brigade, parts of the Sixth Tank Division, and several paratroop battalions. American: First, Third and Forty-fifth Infantry Divisions, parts of the Second Tank Division, and parts of the Eighty-second Airborne Division. ARGENTINA'S MOVE CUTTING GERMAN CLAWS (Heed. 8.30 p.m.) BUEXOS AIl'iES. July I I The Argentine Government has ordered all German welfare and cultural societies to end their activities within •18 hours.