Quotes of the day for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

 

I am also reminded of the words which the commander of Army Group 21, Field Marshall Montgomery, sent on the eve of D-day to all the troops in his Army Group taking part:

21st ARMY GROUP

MESSAGE OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

To be read to all Troops

1. The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in Western Europe.

The blow will be struck by the combined sea, land and air forces of the Allies together constituting one great Alled team, under the supreme command of General Eisenhower.

2. On the eve of this great adventure I send my best wishes to every soldier in the Allied team.

To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings. We have a great and a righteous cause.

Let us pray that ” The Lord Mighty in Battle ” will go forth with our armies, and that His special providence will aid us in the struggle.

3. I want every soldier to know that I have complete confidence in the successful outcome of the operations that we are now about to begin.

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory.

4. And, as we enter the battle, let us recall the words of a famous soldier spoken many years ago :

“He either fears his fate too much,

Or his deserts are small,

Who dare not put it to the touch,

To win or lose it all.”

Good luck to each one of you. And good hunting on the main land of Europe.

B. L. Montgomery

Commander-in-Chief

21st Army Group

5 June, 1944