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Speech by General Sir Harold Alexander, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy to the II Polish Corps shortly after the Battle of Monte Cassino
(decorating General Anders) "In the name of His Majesty George VI, King of Great Britain, I confer on you the Order of the Bath,” (turning to and addressing the assembled battalions)
"By
conferring on General Anders the Order of the Bath, my Sovereign has
decorated the Commander of the II Army Corps for his excellent leadership,
and also by it expressed his appreciation for the extreme gallantry and
great spirit of self-sacrifice shown by the Polish soldiers during the
battle of Monte Cassino. It was a day of great glory for Poland, when you
took this stronghold the Germans themselves considered to be impregnable.
It was the first stage of a major battle that you went through for the
European fortress. It is not merely a brilliant beginning: it is a signpost
showing the way to the future. Today I can sincerely and frankly tell you
that. Soldiers of the II Polish
Corps, if it had been given to me to choose the soldiers I would like to
command, I would have chosen the Poles. I pay my tribute to you."
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