Montgomery Heads Vilest Europe's Defence Council

Northern Advocate, 5 October 1948, Page 5

Montgomery Heads Vilest Europe's Defence Council

LONDON, Mon. (1 p.m.).—Field Marshal Lord Montgomery has been appointed permanent military chairman of the commanders-in-chief forming the defence council of the Western powers, says an official announcement. The Governments of the Brussels Treaty also appointed the following officers: Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces, Western Europe, General Darme Jean de Lattre de Tassigny.

Commander-in-Chief, Air Forces, Western Europe, Air Marshal Sir James Robb.

Flag Officer, Western Europe, as naval representative, Vice Admiral Robert Jeaujard.

Reuters says the Western Union chiefs of staff will meet in London tomorrow under the chairmanship of Air Chief Marshal, Lord Tedder. Reuters understands that Lord Montgomery will give up his position as Chief of the Imperial staff, and that a successor to him will be be appointed very soon. The announcement of the appointments stated that Lord Montgomery's staffs would include high-ranking officers from the Netherlands. Belgium and Luxembourg, whose task would be to study the practical and technical problems of West European defence. It is understood that at the meeting of the Brussels Fact, defence ministers approved the appointments of the chairman and air commander-in-chief on September 28. but the announcement of the full committee was delayed at France's request. NAVAL POST Commenting' on the appointments, Reuters says some surprise will be felt that the flag officer is a Frenchman, when Britain is the acknowledged naval power. It is understood that the naval representative is not, in fact, on the same level as the two Commanders-in-Chief. He will advise on questions of naval defence and his main function will be to give the committee the benefit of his detailed knowledge of Continental ports, and what is required for their defence.

quite different issues would be involved.

Admiralty sources thought it probable that the main responsibilities of the flag officer would be concerned with naval advice to the land and air Commanders-in-Chief, and liaison between them and adjacent naval commands, and coordination of subcommands on the Western European seaboard. NO HEADQUARTERS YET It is understood that so far no headquarters for the defence council has been finally decided upon. General de Gaulle protested in a recent speech against London being the headquarters as he argued that such a council should operate from the Continent.

Reuters Paris correspondent says the announcement puts to an end a great deal of ill-informed speculation about French disagreement with the decisions.

Lord Montgomery’s appointment has full French Cabinet support and the appointment of two Frenchmen to two of the four posts is interpreted as a sign of wholehearted French backing of the joint defence machinery.

Questions of wider naval strategy are not expected to be involved. The navy in a major war would fight under its own commanders, and