NEW INVASION DIVISION

Evening Star, Issue 25173, 12 May 1944, Page 3

NEW INVASION DIVISION

, PEACEFUL PICKETING OF RE- ' CAPTURED AREAS SPECIALISTS QUALIFIED TO ASSIST EUROPE (British Official Wireless.) (Bee. noon.) RUGBY. -May 11. A new section at General Eisenhower's supreme headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force has been formed to help Continental Europe back on its feet, writes a military correspondent. It is named " Civil Affairs," and it is a staff division several thousand strong made up of highly quali(ied i officers and enlisted men of the American, British, and Canadian forces. Its military title is " G 5," and its task is* unparalleled in military history. !n the coming invasion of Europe its job will be, first, in the liberated areas, to assist and advise national Governments in restoring normal civilian life, and represent to restored Governments the views on civil affairs of the supreme commander; secondly, in Germany, to establish a military Government to administer civil affairs in those areas which fall within the responsibility of the supreme commander during the period of military occu- ; pation. The correspondent says that this newly-created force, for. which its personnel has been training for many months in secret in a special school in Britain and the United States, will not only play a very important part in the operations in Europe, but also in the settlement of Europe after they are ended. It will make a valuable contribution towards preventing another war. Manifold and complex problems will confront the men at the head of " Go," but they are well equipped to meet them. These soldier-diplomats have been big» business men, college presidents, pVofessors, governors, mayors, journalists, doctors, and lawyers. They have been trained as soldiers, for they will accompany the combat forces. Before the invasion each

detachment of officers and men will be told what village, town, city, or area is its destination. All available information about the place will be given them, so that when the detachment arrives the men will know the names of the local officials, where they live, the location of ipolice stations, and other useful facts. . The mission of Civil Affairs detachments is identical with that of any other branch of the armed forces —to help bring the war to a successful conelusion. They will see that civilian problems do not interfere with the operations of tactical units, and will mobilise civilian resources to aid the Allies. Civilian wishes will be met as tar as' operations permit. Theirs will be a military control—a verv different thing from a military government or "Amgot" as it is called in Italy. Military control will continue only so long as operations make it essential. General Eisenhower's policy is to restore these countries to their own chosen Governments at the earliest possible opportunity. Civilians in liberated countries will have their own local authorities, and the civil courts will continue to hear their civil cases.

Supplies will be one of the thorniest; questions. Food has been stored in readiness in Britain, the United States, and Canada, but shipping transport must be looked upon as a priority for military operations.^ The difference between "G 5 " and 11.N.R.R.A is roughly that "G 5" will be responsible for the military period, while U.N.RJR.A. will gradually merge in afterwards, taking over without any embarrassing halt whero " G 5 " leaves off. In Germany the work and policy ■ of " G 5 " will be totally different. There they will exercise complete domination and control in the form of a military Government. It will not be called Amgot, but its working will be similar. In short, the situation in Germany will be command instead of advice and agreement.

The Nazis will be removed as soon as the Allies enter. This will inevitably mean a great gap in the, ranks of public and civil servants directing civil administration. Replacement will be difficult, but it is hoped to find many public servants who had become members of the Nazi Party only for expediency's sake in order to hold down their jobs; and live officials of this kind, where found to be genuine, will be allowed to continue temporarily in their jobs. But there will be the most searching investigation to prove beyond any shadow of doubt wbero their sympathies lie.