Description:

BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY
(1887 - 1976) British Field Marshall who commenced the drive at El Alamein that ultimately drove Rommel from North Africa. Also involved in the invasions of Sicily and France. Fine content D.S. 'Montgomery of Alamein', 1p. 8 x 13 in., [France, July 11, 1944], a period printing of Monty's 'Personal Message from the C-in-C' to 21 Army Group. In small part: '...1. A great deal has happened since my last message to you on 10 June- one month ago; the battle in Normandy has been fierce and hard since then, and much has been achieved. Our gains have been definite and concrete; and we have held everything we have gained, despite the desperate efforts of the enemy to push us back in to the sea. 2. On the west flank - CHERBOURG On the east flank CAEN And much territory in between. And all the time a tremendous struggle with a skillful enemy, whose good fighting qualities and tenacity in battle cannot but attract our admiration...We have taken over 54000 prisoners. We have given the enemy forces a tremendous pounding, and we know from prisoners what great losses they have suffered...And so, to every Allied soldier in Normandy I say: 'Well done. Well done indeed. You have performed a great task in a manner which is fully in keeping with the great traditions of the fighting stocks from which we all come. And your families and friends in the home land may well be very proud of their men folk serving overseas'. It is the earnest desire of every Allied soldier in Normandy to finish this business off as quickly as possible, and to pull his full weight and do his duty until it is so finished off...Good luck to each one of you...' Signed at bottom in blue ink. A few tiny toned spots, else very good. 21st Army Group initially controlled all ground forces in Operation Overlord (the United States First Army and British Second Army). When sufficient American forces had landed, their own 12th Army Group was activated, under General Omar Bradley, and the 21st Army Group was left with the British Second Army and the newly activated First Canadian Army. Normandy was a battle of attrition for the British and Canadian troops, drawing in most of the available German reinforcements, especially armored divisions around Caen. These operations left the Germans unable to prevent the American breakout at the western end of the Normandy beachhead in early August 1944.

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June 14, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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