April 12, 1943 Commendation, North Africa
HEADQUARTERS II CORPS
APO 302
U. S. Army
In the Field
April 12, 1943
Subject: Commendation.
To : Division and Separate Division Commanders.
The following message has been received from General Alexander,
the 15th Army Groups Commander, and will be posted an all company bulletin boards
throughout this command:
"THE FIRST PHASE OF OUR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL
CONCLUSION. THE MAIN TASK I GAVE THE II CORPS
WAS FIRSTLY TO CAPTURE AND SECURE GAFSA AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE
BASE FOR 8TH ARMY. SECONDLY TO THREATEN ROMMEL'S REAR FROM
GAFSA AND MAKNASSY SO AS TO DRAW OFF RESERVES FROM 8TH ARMY
THEREBY HELPING THEM TO BREAK NORTH OF THE MARETH LINE AND
JOIN HANDS WITH US. THIS TASK HAS BEEN MOST SUCCESSFULLY DONE
BY THE II CORPS AND HAS BEEN A BATTLE WINNING FACTOR IN THE
FIGHTING. I WISH TO CONVEY TO GENERAL PATTON HIS STAFF
AND TROOPS MY GRATITUDE AND THANKS FOR THEIR LOYAL SUPPORT AND
ACTIVE COOPERATION IN THE PART THEY PLAYED IN THIS GREAT VICTORY.
HARD FIGHTING STILL LIES AHEAD OF US BEFORE WE THROW THE ENEMY
OUT OF NORTH AFRICA BUT THE UNITED EFFORTS OF THE THREE ALLIES
WILL MAKE THE RESULTS CERTAIN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL."
By Command of Lieutenant General PATTON:
s/ L. P. Boineau
T/ L. F. BOINEAU
Colonel, A. G. D.,
Adjutant General
REPRODUCED:
Hq 1st US Inf Div
April 14, 1943- L. G.
CERTIFIED A TRUE COPY:
JOSEPH J. KOHOUT,
Captain, 26th Infantry,
Personnel Officer
