FIFTH ARMY COMMANDER COMMENDS HIS TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1943, Page 4

FIFTH ARMY COMMANDER COMMENDS HIS TROOPS

Important Forward Step Taken TOWARDS CLEARING GERMANS FROM ITALY PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EIGHTH ARMY (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, September 16. In an order of the day, General Clark confirms the heartening' news of the Fifth Army’s resurgence. The order, addressed to British and American officers by radio, reads: “As your commander, I want to congratulate every officer and man of the Fifth Army -on accomplishing their mission in landing on the west coast of Italy. All the more splendid is your achievement when it is realised that it was accomplished against determined German resistance at the beaches. Every foot of our beachheads is secure, additional troops are landing every day and we are here to stay. Not one foot of ground will be given up. General Montgomery’s battle-proved Eighth Army, our partner in clearing the Germans from Italy, is advancing rapidly from the south, and in a matter of hours its presence will be felt by the enemy. Side by side with the Eighth Army, the Fifth Army will advance to occupy Naples, Rome and other cities to the north and to free Italy from German domination. I am highly gratified at the efficient manner in which British and American troops worked side by side in mutual support, each being proud to serve by the side of the other. Their performance justifies the confidence placed in them by the people of the United Nations. They know we shall drive on relentlessly until our job is done.”