LEADERS FOR INVASION

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24152, 11 January 1944, Page 5

LEADERS FOR INVASION

More Appointments

Announced PREPARATIONS IN BRITAIN (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 9. Major-General Bedell Smith will become Chief of Staff to General Eisenhower, in the United Kingdom. He was until recently Chief of Staff of the Allied forces in the Mediterranean theatre. He signed the Italian armistice agreement on behalf of General Eisenhower. Lieutenant-General J. A. H. Gammell has been appointed Chief of Staff in the Mediterranean. Lieutenant-General Gammell had been General Officer. Commanding in Chief. Eastern Command, since 1942. At the outbreak of the war he was in command of the 4th Infantry Brigade and in 1941 was promoted to be, first, major-general and then acting-lieuten-ant-general. He is 51 years of age. General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson assumed duty as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean theatre on January 1. Lieutenant-General Jacob L. Devers has assumed duty as Deputy Supreme Commander. Montgomery Busy “General Montgomery is hustling to get his group of British armies ready for the invasion of western Europe,” says Morley Richards, the military writer of the "Daily Express.” “He is hand-picking his own officers, rearranging commands, and tightening up controls. “Invasion headquarters in London awaits the arrival of the Supreme Commander (General Eisenhower), whose task it is to interlock all the invasion fleets, armies, and air forces.” “Some 45,006* additional landing craft must be completed quickly in the United States to ensure the success of the European invasion, the dates for which have already been set,” said the Under-Secretary of the Navy (Mr James Forrestal), speaking in Washington. One quarter of the total Navy expenditure in 1944 will be devoted to landing craft, he said. Rommel is reported to be in France directing anti-invasion manoeuvres along the coast. The Berlin radio says that 7700 heavy guns have been placed along the “Atlantic ramparts” from northernmost Norway to the Spanish border, and that 3000 anti-aircraft guns have been placed between the Atlantic and the North Sea. From Narvik to the Pyrenees is more than 2000 miles.

SHIPPING FOE INVASION

ALLIED TOTAL PUT AT 40,000,000 TONS

(Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 10. “The United Nations will have 40.000. tons of shipping by April, which German military opinion considers the most favourable month for an invasion of Europe,” says Commander Eric Oesberg, a former head of the Swedish Naval College, in an article in the Stockholm newspaper “Tidningen.” “Allowing five tons of shipping for every soldier carried, it will be possible to throw a groat force against the Continent,” says Commander Oesberg. “This is the greatest Allied strategic success of the war. Britain from the outbreak of war to the end of November. 1943. built 3,940,000 tons, America 18,000,000 tons, Canada 1.700.000, and Australia 700,000.” Commander Oesberg rejects as exaggerated the German claim to have sunk a total of 35.000,000 tons of Allied shipping.

RECOGNITION OF BROG-TITO

REPORTED MOVE BY HITLER

(Rec. 12.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. 10. According to private advice from Berlin, Hitler has recognised Marshal Brog-Tito as a belligerent to ensure treatment as prisoners of war for Germans falling into the hands of the partisans, says the Stockholm correspondent of the “New York Times.” ‘‘ln return, the Germans will accord similar status to captives from Tito’s army, who will no longer be considered francs tireurs.

‘‘ln the past the partisans fought furiously and never surrendered because they know they would be shot. As a result the Gormans suffered heavy losses, which they now hope to lessen.”

JUGOSLAVS SERVING WITH ENEMY

WARNING BROADCAST BY BROG-TITO LONDON. Jan. 9. A last warning to all Jugoslav officers and men serving either under the Germans or with the Jugoslav Quisling leaders to report immediately to the nearest posts of the Jugoslav Army of Liberation, is given in an order of the day from Marshal Brog-Tito. The order, which was broadcast by the free Jugoslav radio, said: “The last opportunity has come for these officers and men to break loose from the enemy. Failing this, every individual will be, in the final reckoning, dealt with as an enemy.” The Germans are now making increased efforts to check the growing partisan successes in Jugoslavia. This is evident from the latest communique of the People’s Army, which says: "In the area of Banjaluka bitter fighting continues. After receiving considerable reinforcements of armour, tanks, and infantry, the Germans are attempting to penetrate the liberated territory from a number .of directions, “One column succeeded, with strong armoured units, in breaking through towards Mrkonjicgrad. A second column is advancing along the right bank of the Vrbas river, a third column is advancing on Banjaluka from Teslio, a fourth column is advancing from Konjice towards Prozor, and a fifth column is advancing from Travnik in a north-westerly direction. The last column was defeated and compelled to withdraw.”

Mrkonjicgrad is some 30 miles south of Banjaluka, and Teslio about the same distance to the east.