IS IT OFFENSIVE?

Grey River Argus, 20 February 1943, Page 5

IS IT OFFENSIVE?

U.S.A. SIXTH army New Command Set Up In South Pacific Troops in N.Z. Included [Aust. &■ N.Z Cable Assn.l WASHINGTON, February 18. The Secretary of War, Mr. Stimson has announced the formation of the Sixth United States Army, under Lieutenant General Walter Krueger. The Army will include American troops in Australia and New Zealand. . , . The formation of this Army had been recommended by General MacArthur Mr. Stimson said, because the strength of the United States forces in the South-west Pacific necessitated the formation of a field army. Mr. Stimson declined to interpret the significance of the move, in relation to Allied plans for an offensive against the Japanese in the Pacific. Most of the American troops in the South Pacific will be included in the Sixth United States Army, to be commanded by Lieutenant General Krueger. MACARTHUR’S IDEA. (Rec. 9.50) WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. Mr. Stimson, War Secretary, referring to General appointment, said: "This command has been created at General Ma’cArthurs request, because the strength of the American forces in the South-west Pacific has reached such proportions that the. organisation of a Field Army was desirable. General MacArthui retains the post of commander-in-Chief. General Krueger’s appointment does not affect the status of General Eichelberger, who has a very gallant record in the Papuan campaign. NEW COMMANDER A PRUSSIAN. WASHINGTON, Feb. 19. General Krueger formerly commanded the Third Army Headquarters at San Antonio in Texas. General Krueger was born in Prussia. He came to America at the age of eight. GENERAL BLAMEY. RETAINS HIS POSITION. (Special to N.Z. Press Assn) (Rec. 11.10.) SYDNEY, Feb. 19. Lieut.-General Krueger Commander of the U.S. Sixth Army is in AusIt is stated here that his appointment will create no strategic change in the South-west Pacific command area. The spokesman at General MacArthur’s Headquarter’s to-day described the formation of the American Sixth Army as “an administrative step of no especial operative significance.” He added that the troops concerned are only those already in the area. While no official announcement has yet been made, it is understood that General Blarney’s, position as Com-mander-in-Chief of the Allied land forces in- the South-west Pacific is not affected.

MACARTHUR’S FREER HAND. (Rec. 9.50) NEW YORK. Feb.. 18. The‘“New York Times” Washington correspondent says: The creation of the Sixth Army in Australia, un-

der General Krueger, gives General MacArthur a set up similar to- that in North Africa. In Africa, general Eisenhower is Commancler-in-chiet with General Clark commanding tne US. Fifth Army. The change also enables General MacArthur to devote h's full time to questions of overall strategy against the Japanese in his theatre, relieving him of the tactical responsibility such as he held m the New Guinea campaign, where he personally commanded the operations. U.S. REINFORCEMENTS. RECENTLY ARRIVED. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. The Associated Press of America' says: The possibility of a major offensive against the Japanese was raised to-day when Mr. Stimson announced the organisation of a new field army in Australia. Inspite of Mr. Stimson’s caution not to infer therefrom that a march to Tokio was about to begin, two facts, the formation of this army and General Krueger’s destination thereto, seem to point to plans for a new Allied drive. Just when it remained an unanswered question the decision to create a Sixth Army' ha's emphasised the growth of Allied strength in the South-west Pacific, and has suggested that reinforcements have recently arrived in Australia.