AFRICA CHANGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 3

AFRICA CHANGES

MERGING OF FORCES General Alexander Named For New Command N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 7. The New York Times correspondent in North Africa, Drew Middleton, is of the opinion that the appointment of General Eisenhower to command the North African theatre will be followed by the naming of General Sir Harold Alexander, who is at present British Commander-in-chief in the Middle East, chief of ground forces under General Eisenhower. Mr. Middleton suggests Admiral Sir Alexander Cunningham as commander at sea and Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder (Britain) or MajorGeneral Carl Spaatz (United States) in the air .in this theatre where the Allies - may be preparing to strike the year's heaviest blows. Although this theatre is called North Africa, there is no doubt that it is more concerned with Mediterranean and Southern European problems after the fall of Tunisia. The appointment of LieutenantGeneral F. M. Andrews, who is an air leader, as commander of the American forces in Europe indicates that Britain is a base for air activities rather than for combined operations.

Commenting on the creation of the North African theatre of operations, with General Eisenhower in command, an American spokesman in London said that the effect was merely to divide the American theatre of war in Europe, which had hitherto included Britain, Iceland and Northern Ireland, as well as North Africa. North Africa now constituted a separate command. This at present, he added, would not affect the Eighth Army anymore than the British Home Forces were affected when General Eisenhower, went to Britain. The Eighth Army was certainly not part of General Eisenhower's new theatre. When it joins up with the British First Army and the American forces in Tunisia, a new decision may be necessary. It was understood that General Giraud still commanded the French. Changes in French Control The Algiers radio-, broadcasting details, of the "new order", in Africa, stated that an extraordinary threeday session of the Imperial' Council abolished the council 'and established a war committee. There .is no change in personnel, but' General Giraud laid down a specific provision for the entry of others, presumably followers of General de Gaulle. The War Committee appointed General Giraud civil and military Commander -in - Chief of African France. He will take charge of all vital interests in the country. The existing high commissariat has been superseded and administrative affairs will be under the charge of a federal government and resident general. A high economic council was also created. ... . T ■, Fighting French circles in London, commenting on General Giraud's new measures, stated that it has been noted that the decisions have been taken without the agreement of, or consultation with, General de Gaulle. They were not discussed in Casablanca, and it is feared that the new measures may mean the consolidation of the Petainist regime and the maintenance in power of the old Vichy-supporting personnel. GEN. CATROUX'S POST NEW XT. AFRICAN COUNCIL Rec. noon. LONDON, Feb. 7. General Catroux, Fighting French commander in the Levant, has arrived in Algiers and conferred with General Giraud on the question of taking a high post in the new North African Government. He is expected to remain, in Algiers permanentlyafter returning from Syria, to which he is now travelling. One source described General Catroux's prospective role as "neutraliser" between Generals Giraud and de Gaulle.