A SEPARATE COMMAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 5

A SEPARATE COMMAND

EISENHOWER'S POST

(Rec. 9 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 7. An Algiers message states that Allied headquarters has announced the creation of a North African theatre of operations, with General Eisenhower in command. An American spokesman in London explained that the effect is merely to divide the American theatre of war in Europe, which hitherto included Britain, Iceland, Northern Ireland, and North Africa. Now North Africa is constituted as a separate command. This does not at present affect the Eighth Army, any more than the British Home Forces were affected when General Eisenhower went to Britain. The Eighth Army is certainly not part of General Eisenhower's new i command. When it joins up with the British First Army and the American forces in Tunisia a new decision may be necessary. It is understood that General Giraud still commands the French forces. President Roosevelt has appointed Major-General L. H. Brereton commanding general of the United States Forces in the Middle East, states a Cairo message. He formerly commanded the United States air forces in Burma and has lately been in command of the United States Middle East Air Force.—B.O.W.

It was reported on Saturday that Lieut.-General F. M. Andrews, commander of the United States Army Air Force in the Middle East, succeeds General Eisenhower as commanding general of the United States forces in Europe. .