To all troops about to invade Sicily

We are about to engage in the second phase of the operations which began with the invasion of North Africa.

We have deteafed the enemies’ forces on the South shore of the Mediterranean and captured his army intact.

The French In North Africa, for whom the yoke of Axis domination has been lifted, are now our loyal allies.

However, this is NOT enough. Our untiring pressure on the enemy must be maintained, and as this falls into your hands we are about to pursue the invasion and occupation of enemy territory.

The successful conclusion of these operations will NOT only strike closer to the heart of the Axis, but also will remove the last threat to the free sea lanes of the Mediterranean.

Remember that this time it is indeed enemy territory which we are attacking, and as such we must expect extremely difficult fighting.

But we have learned to work smoothly alongside one another as a team, and many of you who will be in the first ranks of this force know full well the power of our Allied air and naval forces and the real meaning of air and naval superiority.

The task is difficult but your skill, courage and devotion to duty will be successful in driving our enemies closer to disaster and leading us towards victory and the liberation of Europe and Asia.

(Signed) Dwight D. Eisenhower,
General, U.S. Army, C.-in-C.

Reproduced from the original which is on file

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