ATLANTIC PACT FORCES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26362, 5 March 1951, Page 7

ATLANTIC PACT FORCES

Appointments In New Commands

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 2. When General Eisenhower met British service chiefs during his one-day visit to London it is believed that they discussed appointments to the North Atlantic Command and the establishment of an entirely new Allied command in the Middle East. General Eisenhower was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Lieuten-ant-General A. M. Gruenther, and the British representatives were FieldMarshal Sir William Slim, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Slessor, and ViceAdmiral Sir George Creasy, in the absence of Lord Fraser, the First Sea Lord. It is ejected that after these discussions General Eisenhower will announce shortly the names of a number of high-ranking American, British, and French officers who will hold senior positions on his staff. FieldMarshal Viscount Montgomery is expected to be Deputy-Commander in Europe to General Eisenhower, and General Juin (France) is expected to be given command of the Army of the Centre —covering the Netherlands, France, and Germany. The military correspondent of the “Yorkshire Post” says that the North Atlantic Treaty Powers have already agreed in principle to the acceptance of both Greece and Turkey as associate members of the North Atlantic Treaty organisation. The correspondent understands that General Eisenhower suggested that there should be appointed a Com-mander-in-Chief in the Middle East, who would be directly responsible to the Paris Headquarters. This suggestion has been strongly resisted by British service chiefs. The Chiefs of Staff consider that Britain’s existing Middle East organisation under General Sir Brian Robertson is capable of dealing with any situation likely to arise. There is also the greatest reluctance to pass over the control of the British Mediterranean Fleet. A “Manchester Guardian” correspondent says that it is expected that a formal announcement will shortly be made on the appointment of the American, Admiral Fechteler, to the command of the Atlantic naval forces.

It is understood, says this correspondent, that General Eisenhower and Admiral Fechteler will be the only two Supreme Commanders. In other words, it is not contemplated having a Supreme Commander of the Combined Air Forces.

General Curtis Le May, commander of the United States Strategic Air Force, who is reported to have been appointed head of the North Atlantic Strategic Bomber Command, would, it is said, be under the ultimate orders of General Eisenhower. His appointment has not been confirmed.