CHERBOURG VICTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1944, Page 4

CHERBOURG VICTOR

GENERAL J. L. COLLINS

WHICH OF TWIN BROTHERS?

United States Army officers in this area are debating whether the Major-General James Collins referred to in news cables as the leader of the Americans who finally captured Cherbourg is identical with Major-General J. Lawton Collins, well known in Auckland as the commander of the 25th Division, which took part in the conquest of Guadalcanal It was stated officially this morning that Major-General Collins is in the European theatre, but that his twin brother, Major-General James L. Collins, is also in that theatre. Confusion arises from the fact that they are identical in initials. If it is the former commander of the 25th, he is the first senior officer of the American forces to have achieved prominence on active service in both the South Pacific and the European theatres of war. Major-General J. Lawton Collins left Auckland in September last year, bound for Washington and .a new appointment. He was succeeded in the command of the 25th Division by Major-General Charles L. Mullins, jnr. Commanded Notable Division It was the 25th Division which took over from the Marines and finally cleared Guadalcanar of its Japanese garrison. It also took a notable part in other island campaigns before returning to Auckland last year for rest leave. The 25th is composed of a number of regular U.S. Army units, most of whom have formerly seen garrison service in Hawaii. Major-General Collins won the affectionate admiration of his men and the respect of Allied forces in the South Pacific for his qualities of leadership. All his campaigns were excellently planned and notably < carried out. He is one of the young- 1 est major-generals in the U.S. Army i and is a notable athlete. He played baseball with his troops, and is an . excellent golfer, tennis player, swim- \' raer, and rider. j