-39-#669, Eighteenth, from London              
 
                                                            
 
 
Army Group he fell unceasingly on the enemy in the north and 
      has fought the battle all the time from that part of the assailed 
      front. The United States First Army which was one of the group 
      of armies under General Omar Bradley was Severed by the inroad. 
      It was reinforced with extraordinary military efficiency from 
      the Metz area by General Patton's army who hurled themselves 
      on the intruders from the south side of Bastogne. But all the 
      movements of the commanders would have been futile but for the 
      bravery of the troops. General Omar Bradley was commanding American 
      troops and so was Field Marshal Montgomery. All these troops 
      fought in magnificent fashion and General Eisenhower balancing 
      the situation between his two commanders gave them both the fairest 
      opportunity to realise their full strength and quality. Let no 
      one lend himself to the chatter of mischief-makers when issues 
      of this most momentous consequence are being successfully decided 
                          by the sword.                     
 
                                                            
 
 
Lest it should be thought that the British Commonwealth and 
      Empire are not playing their part in the battle of the Continent 
      or in the general war let me give a few