[Printed handbill.] Special Message from the Army Commander to all Ranks Eighth Army.

1p., foolscap 8vo. 36 lines of text. A frail survival: in fair condition, lightly creased and aged, with short closed tear repaired on reverse with archival tape. Badge design at head of text, with white shield with yellow cross against blue background, and facsimile of McCreery's signature at foot. The text begins: 'On 9th April, the Eighth Army started the last great battle in Italy. Twenty-three days later, on 2nd May, the enemy surrendered unconditionally.' The penultimate paragraph reads: 'The unconditional surrender of the enemy bring the Eighth Army many new and urgent tasks. We have a big job to do in helping to win the peace. The reputation of our Eighth Army has always been high, and it has never stood higher than it stands today. There will be many changes in personnel, but wherever Eighth Army men go, in enemy or Allied territory, the civilian population must respect you. Your conduct must always be worthy of those men who made the historic march from El Alamein to the Alps.' Scarce: the only copy on COPAC at the Imperial War Museum.