NEW U.S. COMMAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 42, 19 February 1943, Page 3

NEW U.S. COMMAND

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC

Troops In Australia And New Zealand

British Official Wireless Rec. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. IS. The United States Secretary of War, Mr. ' Stimson, announced the .formation of the Sixth United States Army under Lieutenant - General Walter Krueger. The army will include American troops in Australia and New Zealand, says a Washington message.

The formation of this army had been recommended by General MacArthur, Mr. Stimson said, because the strength of the United States forces in the South-west Pacific necessitated the formation of a field army. Mr. Stimson declined to interpret the significance of the move in relation to Allied plans for an offensive against the Japanese in the Pacific.

Lieu tenant-General "Walter Krueger, who wears the Distinguished Service Medal, rose from the ranks. He was born in ISBI. He began his army career as a private in the United States Infantry in 1899. In 1906 he was a distinguished graduate of the infantry and cavalry school, and in 1907 he graduated from the staff college. He graduated in the Army War College in 1921, and the Naval War College Ave years later. From May, 1936, till June, 1938, General Krueger was assistant Chief of Staff of the Army, and was promoted lieutenantgeneral in May, 1941.