IKE’S HISTORIC ORDER
May 26th, 2010 | 1:28 pm
On May 26, 1944, days before the D-Day invasions, General Eisenhower issued an order outlining his instructions for the protection of historic monuments in war areas. He had issued similar orders in Italy in December 1943, but within just a few months General Eisenhower had learned the importance of issuing protection orders before the battle had begun. There is no doubt that because of Ike’s support for the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives commission, countless buildings of cultural importance and works of art were saved from destruction.
Full Text of May 26, 1944 Order
1. Shortly we will be fighting our way across the Continent of Europe in battles designed to preserve our civilization. Inevitably, in the path of our advance will be found historical monuments and cultural centers which symbolize to the world all that we are fighting to preserve.
2. It is the responsibility of every commander to protect and respect these symbols whenever possible.
3. In some circumstances the success of the military operations may be prejudiced in our reluctance to destroy these revered objects. Then, as at Cassino, where the enemy relied on our emotional attachment to shield his defense, the lives of our men are paramount. So, where military necessity dictates, commanders may order the required action even though it involves destruction of some honored site.
4. But there are many circumstances in which damage and destruction are not necessary and cannot be justified. In such cases, through the exercise of restraint and discipline, commanders will preserve centers and objects of historical and cultural significance. Civil Affairs Staffs at higher echelons will advise commanders of the locations of historical monuments of this type, both in advance of the front lines and in occupied areas. This information, together with the necessary instructions, will be passed down through command channels to all echelons.
(signed)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
General, U.S. Army.
Tags: Eisenhower, General Eisenhower, Historic Order, Monuments, U.S. Army, WWII
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