Krueger’s Arrival In Australia Points To Offensive

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1943, Page 3

Krueger’s Arrival In Australia Points To Offensive

WASHINGTON, February 18.

The Secretary for War (Mr. Stimson), referring to General Kreuger’s appointment, said that the command was created at General MacArthur’s request because the strength of the American forces in the south-west Pacific had reached such proportions that the organisation of a field army was desirable. General MacArthur 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. The Associated Press says that the possibility of a major offensive against the Japanese was raised today, when Mr. Stimson announced the organisation of a new field army in Australia, despite Mr. Stimson’s caution not to infer from it that a march to Tokio was about to begin, two facts—the formation of an army and General Krueger’s designation to it —seem to point to plans for a new Allied drive. Just when it will begin remained an unanswered question. Similar to North Africa

The decision to create a sixth army emphasised the growth of Allied strength in the south-w"est Pacific and suggested that reinforcements had recently arrived in Australia. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says the creation of a Sixth Army in Australia under General Krueger gives General MacArthur a set-up similar to North Africa, where General Eisenhower is Commander-in-Chief, with General Clark commanding the Fifth Army.

The change also enables General MacArthur to devote his full time to questions of over-all strategy against the Japanese in his theatre, relieving him of tactical responsibility such*as he held in the New Guinea campaign, where he personally commanded the operations. General Krueger, who formerly commanded the Third Army headquarters at San Antonio, Texas, was born in Prussia and came to America at the age of eight. General Blarney’s Position

Lieutenant-General Krueger is in Australia says a special cable from Sydney. It is stated here that his appointment will create no strategic change in the south-west Pacific command area.

A spokesman at General MacArthur’s headquarters today described the formation of an 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 Blameyjs position of Com-mander-in-Chief of the Allied land forces in the south-west Pacific is not affected.