This is London. London calling in the home, overseas and European services of the BBC and through United Nations Radio Mediterranean. And this is John Snagg speaking.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force have just issued Communique Number one, and in a few seconds I will read it to you.

Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces,

began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.

I'll repeat that, Communiqueh. Communique number one.

Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces,

began landing Allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.

Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world

are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere, march with you.

In company with our brave allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about

the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe,

and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one.

Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened.

He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944.

Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940, 41.

The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans' great defeats in open battle, man to man.

Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage

war on the ground.

Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war

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