MR. Speaker (Visit to Normandy Front)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 September 1944.

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Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham 12:00, 26 September 1944

The House, I feel sure, would wish to be informed that during the Adjournment I accepted ark invitation from General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Army of Liberation, to visit his Headquarters in Normandy. Accordingly, on Wednesday, 16th August, I closed by air to Normandy and was received with great cordiality by General Eisenhower, who not only found time to give me a personal appreciation of the situation, as it then existed, but also gave me facilities for obtaining information through officers of his staff whom he placed at my disposal. On the following day, through the courtesy of Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory and of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham, I availed myself of the opportunity of visiting some advance tactical airfields, and of witnessing operations conducted by British and Canadian squadrons.

In these visits I was accompanied by the Clerk of the House, the Serjeant at Arms and my Secretary.

I am glad to take this opportunity of informing the House officially of these graceful acts of courtesy offered to the Speaker, as the representative of the House of Commons, by these distinguished officers, in the name of the Allied and British Forces under their command.