NEW COMMANDER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1943, Page 5

NEW COMMANDER

U.S. FORCES IN EUROPE

LIEUT.-GENERAL F. M. ANDREWS

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 5. Lieut.-General F. M. Andrews, commander of the United States Army Air Force in the Middle East, has arrived in London to succeed General Eisenhower as commanding general of the United States forces in Europe. The appointment does not affect General Eisenhower, who remains commander-in-chief in North Africa. Interviewed by the Associated Press, General Andrews said: "My -*».st job is to increase the intensity of bombing of the enemy and to prepare for the reception of larger forces which undoubtedly will be brought into the United Kingdom. We intend to go allout in intensifying our air warfare. We don't intend to start night bombing immediately. I believe most strongly in strategic bombing. We shall continue with the 'softening* of Germany. We shall build up our bomber force here as fast as the formation of new units and shipping permit. "I believe in combined action whenever it is practicable, including action between land, sea, and air forces, and

also close air support of the ground forces. If you want the best example of close-support air operations among the Allies, you should consider those conducted against Rommel." Asked for his views on the divebomber, General Andrews said: "Divebombing requires complete air superiority tb be effective. The German dive-bombers in the Middle East have been like duck soup for our fighters." General Andrews, who is 59, has held many posts and commands, including 2| years after the last war with the United States forces in Germany.