GREAT TEAM OF FIGHTERS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22248, 18 January 1944, Page 3

GREAT TEAM OF FIGHTERS

EISENHOWER’S COMMAND LONDON, Jan. 17 General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, held his first Press conference today. He said he had a great team of fighters ready for any tasks that might lie ahead. They were working as a team from top to bottom.

General Eisenhower expressed high appreciation of the work already done before his arrival in preparation for the assault in the west, particularly by the Navy and Air forces. He was particularly delighted by seeing Mr Roosevelt and Mr Churchill on his way to Britain and discussing with them the operations for which he was preparing. He no doubt gathered together for these operations a great team of fighters, both British and American, added General Eisenhower. “The troops I left behind in the Mediterranean had become extraordinary fighting men—Navy, Air and ground,” he said. “They were working together as a real team all the way from the commanders down to the infantry. They were fighting in Italy at present under appalling conditions. The present phase of operations in Italy was unavoidable because there is a time when the dirty business of war comes down to a slugging match. The present was one of the inevitable series of low points occurring in every operation \vlple a force is being built up to make a determined thrust elsewhere.”

General Omar Nelson Bradley has been appointed Commander of the United States Army in the field under General Eisenhower. He will be General Montgomery’s opposite number. General Bradley commanded the Second Corps in the Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns.