From the S&S archives:
Monty Tells French Britain will aid defense

CAEN, June 5 (S&S) — Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, guest of honor in a number of Normandy towns for the celebration of D-Day, has promised the French that if they ever are attacked again, the British will be by their side.

"The fact that I was named commander in France of the defense system of the Western Union gives you sufficient guarantees that should France be attacked, all the British troops will be there to defend her," he said. "I would be there to fight and if necessary die with you."

Montgomery declared his intention to organize the Western nations so "strongly that no invasion of Europe would be possible in the future ... When I cross your country, and see the damage it has suffered, my conviction is affirmed that English forces will fight on French soil beside soldiers of your army against all new aggressions."

Montgomery, in taking part in the anniversary ceremonies, will visit Arromonches, Bayeux, St. Laurent, Vierville, St. Marie Mont, and St. Aubin sur Mer.

Among those visiting Normandy on this fifth D-Day are 45 U.S. newspapermen who covered the beaches during the invasion in 1944. They are on a tour, sponsored by American Overseas Airlines, which will retrace the path of the German retreat right to Berlin.

Today, five AF veterans who bombed the Normandy beaches in support of the D-Day troops dropped floral tributes over Omaha and Utah beaches in memory of the fallen. They also landed at Caen to participate in the anniversary ceremonies.

Flags were flying today all along the coast.

Some former members of the 3d British Inf Div arrived by plane from London for a visit to the area they invaded in 1944. Among them. was Brig J. Cunningham, wounded within the first hour of D-Day, and who today got his first look at the scene since then. About 30 others of the division are due to arrive tomorrow to unveil a monument to the war dead at Hermanvllle.