Evening star., 1945-03-25
Churchill, at Front,
Sees Speedy Victory
As Rhine Is Breached
Ey the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. Mar. 24.-Prime Minis
ter Churchill, at Field Marshall
Montgomery's headquarters, told
troops of the 21st Army Group to-
day that the decisive victory in
Europe will be near" once the Rhine
River line is pierced and the crust
of German resistance broken.
A similar message of confidence
In speedy victory was issued by Mar
shall Montgomery while Gen. Eisen-
hover warned German officers, SOL
diers and civilians that the Allies
would hold them to strictest account
and punish them according to their
deserts If they became involved in
the execution of Allied Airborne
troops.
Prince Bernhard of The Neither
lands, speaking under the authority
of the Supreme Allied commander
warned Dutch patriot troops to take
no action without orders but alerted
them to be prepared to coordinate
their efforts with the new Allied
offensive which has carried across
the Rhine.
Churchill Sends Message.
In a message to the British End
Canadian lst and United States
9Th Armies, Mr.. Churchill, who on
March predicted that lone strong
l1eave will win the war" said
II rejoice to be with the chief OF
the Imperial General Staff (Field
Marshal Sir Alan Brooke at Field
Marshal Montgomery's headquarters
of the 21st Army Group during this
memorable battle of forcing the
Rhine.
British soldiers, it will long be
told how, with our Canadian BROTH
ers and valiant United States allies,
this superb task was accomplished.
Once the river line is pierced and
the crust of German resistance is
broken, the decisive. victory in Eu-
rope will be near.
May God prosper our arms In
this noble adventure after our long
struggle for king and country. for
dear life, and for the freedom Of
mankind"
Declaring that the Allies had
knowledge of an order issued from
Adolf Hitler's headquarters on Oc-
tober 18. 1912, and its supplement
issued in October, 1914, calling for
the execution of Allied air borne
and parachute troops. Gen. Eisen-
hover said in his message to the
German army:
The development of the battle
on German soil may bring you into
contact with Allied air-borne or
parachute troops in large or small
units. Such units may be landed or
dropped deep behind your lines.
Nazis Warned.
"You are solemnly reminded that
such troops landed or dropped in
uniform behind your lines are not
terrorists but soldiers carrying out
legitimate military tasks.
THE execution of air-borne or
parachute troops operating in uni
form is entirely contrary to the ac-
cepted rules and practices of war.
"All persons-offcers, other ranks
or civilians-included in the issuing
or carrying out of the Fuehrer head
quarters orders or any other
similar orders subsequently issued
or to be issued will be held to strict
est account and will be punished
according to their deserts. The ex-
cuse of having carried out orders
received from above will not be con-
sidered valid"
A special supreme headquarters
message broadcast by the London
radio tonight called on Germans re-
siding in rural areas to help refugees
now streaming out of the Ruhr and
the Frankfurt and Mannheim-Lud-
wigshafen areas.
Reminding Germans that the "last
battle Of the war was approaching
the broadcast told people in the
country districts to see that refugees
from Hitler's war industry were put
to work to help provide food for the
first hard winter of peace"