Fighting French Left Out Of Allied Plans

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1943, Page 4

Fighting French Left Out Of Allied Plans

LONDON, February 10.

It is now the beginning of the fourth month of operations in North Africa and it seems only natural that Frenchmen 'who served in the cause of France should at least be free, yet there are still 15,000 French prisoners there,” declared General de Gaulle at a Press conference. “Almost all nationals in other countries are freed because the authorities wished to please the Governments concerned. Those who remain in prison are Frenchmen wishing to continue the fight' against Germany.” He added that the Fighting French were not consulted during the preparation for Allied landings. “We were left outside and that was one of the causes of the subsequent confusion. A great moral and material force Avas absent from the very ground where it might have been most useful for France and the Allies’ common cause. Events in North Africa provide a test of the way the Allies intend to carry out their aims. There has been tragic comedy mixed with a little blood, but I do not regard the position as grave provided that in future proper inportance is given to the dignity of France and the aims for which the Allies arc fighting.” General de Gaulle added that all officials at present in North Africa were there during the life of Vichy Government, “But no ! There are exceptions—some de Gaullist officials have been imprisoned since the arrival of the Allies,” he said.