HOUR HAS STRUCK

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22456, 18 September 1944, Page 3

HOUR HAS STRUCK

PLANS FOR LIBERATION EISENHOWER’S ORDERS WARNING TO GERMANS (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 18, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 17 Dutch commandos landed with other Allied forces in the airborne invasion of Holland. An appeal issued under the authority of General Eisenhower and broadcast to the Dutch people indicated that the landings took place in the area south of the rivers Rhine and Leek. It also included a message to the German army warning them that the Netherlands forces of resistance were recognised as part of the Allied forces. This message stated: “Powerful Allied forces are fighting on Dutch soil. I therefore address to you the following statement. The Netherlands forces of resistance are now fighting side by side with the Allied forces. They are instructed to conduct their operations against you in accordance with the rules of war. They are commanded by their own officers, under the leadership of Prince Bernhard, appointed by me as their commander. They are regarded by me as an army under my command. I am determined that every effort shall be made to trace the authors of atrocities committed against members of the forces under my command and the guilty will be brought to justice.” “The Hour Has Struck” The message to the people of the Netherlands states: “The hour for which you have been waiting so long has struck. Now the Allied forces are on your soil and Netherlands commandos are operating with them, your lull assistance and obedience to orders of the Supreme Commander are essential for the early liberation of the Netherlands.” In a statement to the Netherlands forces of resistance operating south of the Leek and Rhine rivers, General Eisenhower asked them to follow precisely the orders from Prince Bernhard and local commanders and avoid as far as possible action against superior enemy forces. They must also safeguard factories, mines and industrial installations, especially • stores of petrol, and as soon as contact is made with the Allies render them every assistance and obey precisely their orders. General Eisenhower advised the population of unliberated areas south of the Leek and Rhine rivers not to attempted any mass rising but to give all possible help to the forces of resistance. Those within the liberated area could best assist by maintaining complete discipline and remaining quiet until received orders. Supreme Moment “To the people of the Netherlands north of the rivers Leek and Rhine and not in the area of active military operations I say that your time for action is not yet. It will come. When it comes you will receive your new instructions. Until then you must remain absolutely quiet and refrain from any action or demonstration.” Finally he asked all people in the Netherlands to listen to broadcast instructions and circulate leaflets distribiated by the Allied air force.. “This is the supreme moment,” he said. “Fulfil your task loyally. If all play their part the liberation of the Netherlands will be achieved. Long live the Netherlands.” SURRENDER OF 20,000 GENERAL ACCEPTS DEFEAT GERMANS TRAPPED IN FRANCE (Received Sept. 18, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17 The junction of the United States Third and Seventh Armies, whereby many Germans in central France have been cut off from the Belfort gap escape route, has already produced excellent results, according to on American radio reporter from Parir. “T ie German General Elster yesterday surrendered at Beaugency, south-west of Orleans, handing over his pistol as a token of the surrender of his 20,000 troops,” said the reporter. “They surrendered without a shot being fired.” The broadcaster then interviewed an American lieutenant, who said: ‘ We were operating 50 miles south of the Loire river when we learned frem the French that a German column wished to surrender to the Americans. I told one Belgian and one British officer working with us, both of whom speak German, to visit tne German general and tell him he could surrender unconditionally or take the consequences. I requested air support to come and immediately arranged that an Allied airman should strafe the German columns if signalled that the surrender was not progressing. “General Elster did not wish to surrender to a lieutenant, so I arranged with him to meet my general, tc whom he surrendered unconditionally.” FINLAND AND GERMANY STATE OF WAR REPORTED (Received Sept. 18, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. The Finnish Press declared tonight that a state of war exists between Finland and Germany, says Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent. A formal declaration may come almost without notice.