54,000 Nazis taken prisoner in Normandy
Invasion going well, Montgomery says
By the United Press
Allied forces in Normandy have captured more than 54,000 prisoners and are “developing our offensive operation in accordance with our plans,” Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, commander of ground forces in France, said today in his first message to his troops in a month.
Gen. Montgomery’s message, broadcast by the London radio, said the first month of the invasion has given “good ground for satisfaction.”
He said:
The pace has been hot and it was clear that someone would have to give ground sooner or later. It was equally clear that Allied soldiers would see it through to the end and would never give up, and so the Germans have been forced to give ground, which is very right and proper…
We have given the enemy forces a tremendous pounding and we know from prisoners what great losses they have suffered. We have enlarged and extended our lodgment area and, in that area, we are very firm and secure…
And so, to every Allied soldier in Normandy, I said, “Well done!” Well done, indeed! You have done a great task in a manner which is fully in keeping with the great traditions of the fighting stock of which we all come!