OMAR BRADLEY SIGNED FAREWELL TO THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

OMAR BRADLEY SIGNED FAREWELL TO THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
On July 14, 1945, with the defeat of Germany, SHAEF's mission and that of its Supreme Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was complete. It was time for Eisenhower to move on – he would soon assume the position of military governor of the American occupation zone. Offered here is a very rare example of one of the printed messages Eisenhower issued to the men in his command before leaving SHAEF, signed by him in facsimile at bottom, and hand-signed in black ink at top by Major Gen. OMAR N. BRADLEY. The message reads, in full: 'TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE The task which we set ourselves is finished, and the time has come for me to relinquish Combined Command. In the name of the United States and the British Commonwealth, from whom my authority is derived, I should like to convey to you the gratitude and admiration of our two nations for the manner in which you have responded to every demand that has been made upon you. At times, conditions have been hard and the tasks to be performed arduous. No praise is too high for the manner in which you have surmounted every obstacle. I should like, also, to add my own personal word of thanks to each one of you for the part you have played and the contribution you have made to our joint victory. Now that you are about to pass to other spheres of activity, I say Good-bye to you and wish you Good Luck and God-Speed.' The 8.5 x 11 inch text is signed in facsimile at top. Fine condition. OMAR N. BRADLEY (1893-1981) was Eisenhower's top general of World War II, and he would commanded the largest ground force ever led by one man. Post-war, Bradley would serve as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.