THE COMMANDERIN-CHIEF

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23997, 12 July 1943, Page 5

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

EISENHOWER’S NIGHT AT HEADQUARTERS “EVERYTHING GOING TO PLAN” CRec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 10. "In the early hours of Saturday morning General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Commander-in-Chief in North Africa, heard that the landings in Sicily had been made and that everything was going according to plan,” writes the correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency in the first account of the invasion of Sicily, for the combined British press. “General Eisenhower always carries seven old coins, including an English gold five-guinea piece,” says the correspondent. “As the invasion fleet approached Sicily last night to begin the great assault on Europe, the general gave the coins a good rub for luck. In fact, as one of his aides said, he gave them several rubs. “General Eisenhower spent all night at his headquarters, except for a brief period when he drove to the coast with a small party of his staff to watch the Allied air fleet leaving. Climbing out of his car, he stood in the moonlight with his hand raised to the salute as the air armada was airborne. The period of waiting between the planning of the assault and its coming into being was over. “Returning to headquarters, General Eisenhower went at once to the Naval Section, where he joined the staff, following closely the movement of the operations on a chart. He spent some time in the Fighter Command room, from which the air umbrella covering the operations was controlled. “At 1.30 a.m. the general, apparently satisfied with the progress of operations, went to bed next to the War Room. He slept three hours, until awakened at 4.30 a.m. by an aide, who informed him that the assault troops had landed and that everything was going according to plan. “The Royal Navy served the general with a cup of tea, and he then returned to the War Room,' where reports were coming in regularly. He remained there until he heard the 8.8.C. broadcast his message tolling the people of France that this was the first stage of the invasion of the European Continent, which would be followed by others, , .. “General Cisenhower then left the War Room, but only for a change of clothes. He returned within a short period to follow with the commanders the progress of operations.”

“FIRST STAGE IN LIBERATION"

WARNING BROADCAST TO FRENCH LONDON, July 10. A warning was broadcast from General Eisenhower’s Headquarters to the French people, telling them that the landings in Sicily were the first stage in the liberation of Europe. “Reports reaching Switzerland indicate that the Vichy Government is considering moving to Versailles,’’ says the Berne correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” “Shortly after the total occupation of France the Germans suggested to Vichy that there was no further obstacle to the transfer, but now, with an Allied invasion threatening, the Nazis are insisting on the move.

"The Germans appear to be concerned lest, in the midst of confusion after a landing, French patriots should ‘get control of Vichy, deal with Laval, and lay hands on Marshal Petaln. Such a coup would sabotage any assistance against the invaders which the Germans expect from Vichy.”

American Expenditure.—The United States Treasury has disclosed that the Federal Government spent 1.599,000.000 dollars, or about £400,000,000, during the first week of the fiscal year starting on July 1, 1943. This is approximately 50 per cent, above the expenditure for the corresponding week of 1942.—London, July 10..