714. 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. Superb content manuscript L.S. adding rank, 1p. 8vo., "Eighth Army, Italy", Sep. 15, 1943. In full: "Thank you for your Airgraph. The Eighth Army has now firmly established itself on the Fortress of Europe. There will be no stopping us now. Good luck - B. L. Montgomery General Eighth Army". Very good condition, with manuscript envelope with censor's stamp and signature, additionally marked "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" and postmarked three days later. Two pieces. A remarkable letter written only twelve days after Montgomery's Eighth Army became the first of the Allied troops to set foot on the European mainland, following the Allies' capture of Sicily. Opposition to the landings was light; the Italian units surrendered almost immediately, leaving a single German regiment to defend 17 miles of coast. Albert Kesselring and his staff did not believe the Calabria landings were a ploy, and that the real attack would come in the north, near Rome. Americans landing at Salerno faced much stiffer resistance, and some complained that Monty's slow advance from the south contributed to the huge Allied losses in the area of the American debarkations. $1,500 - 2,000