NEW COMMANDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 3

NEW COMMANDER

AMERICAN FORCES General J. L. Devers Succeeds General Andrews N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 11.30 WASHINGTON, May 6. Lieutenant - General Jacob L. Devers, at present Commander of Armoured Forces, has been appointed to succeed Lieutenant-General Andrews as Commander of .the United States Forces in the European Theatre, according to an announcement by Mr. H. L. Stimson, "United States Secretary for War. He said that Lieutenant-General Devers, who is 55 years of age, was emiri'ehtiy fitted for the command. He recently made an extensive inspection of the European, African and Middle East theatres, and was thoroughly conversant with present and future plans.

The United Press says observers consider it noteworthy that while Lieutenant-General Andrews was an air officer, Lieutenant-General Devers is from the armoured force, indicating that the appointment is in line with preparations for a land invasion. The War Department has announced that 14 died in the plane crash in Iceland which killed LieutenantGeneral F. M. Andrews, including Bishop A. W. Leonard, chairman of the United States Army and Nav-y Chaplains' Committee, BrigadierGeneral Charles Barth, Chief of Staff to General Andrews, and Colonel Morrow Crum, public relations officer at General Andrews' Headquarters. The weather was bat at the time of the crash with a vei ■/ low ceiling and poor visibility due to rain and low clouds. The plane ;truck a hill and was completely de;. Wished. The only survivor was the rear gunner, who was slightly injured.