DRAMATIC MOVE BY ALLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25068, 9 November 1942, Page 3

DRAMATIC MOVE BY ALLIES

FRENCH NORTH AFRICA INVASION BY AMERICANS POWERFUL FORCES LANDED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. Powerful Allied forces have landed in French North Africa, and the latest reports indi- - cate that their operations have spread widely along the coasts of Algeria and Morocco. The French forces have been ordered to resist. The first news of this dramatic development came in an announcement from White House that a powerful American force, assisted by British naval and air forces, was landing on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of the French colonies in Africa in order “ to forestall invasion ” by Germany and Italy. The announcement coincided with the time of the actual landing •t 9 p.m. Washington time and 3 a.m. African time. The announcement added that the American forces were under the command of Lieutenantgeneral Eisenhower. They were equipped with adequate weapons of modem warfare, and would in the immediate future be reinforced by a considerable number of divisions of the British Army. A War Department communique states that in North Africa the United States Army Air Force started landing operations during the hours of darkness last night at numerous points on the shores of North Africa. The operation was made necessary by the increasing Axis menace to this territory. Steps were taken to give the French people

early information of the landings by radio and leaflets. These combined operations were supported by units of the Royal Navy and Air Force. General Eisenhower is commander-in-chief of the Allied force. A British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters in North Africa says that the initial stages, of the assault were carried out by United States amphibious forces (air-borne troops) under an umbrella of carrier-based planes to seize vital aerodromes and channels of communication. The Allies’ offensive is the largest mass movement of troops since the outbreak of war. Their armour is the world’s greatest. Scores of thousands of United States troops are participating. The Allies have taken a short cut to Rommel’s hack door by the North African landing, says Reuters military correspondent. Control of Algeria and Tunis will spare the convoys the long Cape haul which has been the Eighth Army’s main handicap. Several railways and good roads near Algeria and Tunis will give almost complete mastery of the Western Mediterranean- Under the guise of the Armistice Control Commission, the Germans are reported to have built up a skeleton military organisation in North Africa ready for all emergencies. The Hilversum radio says that there is no doubt in Berlin that the British aim to capture North African ports to set up a second front from there. The 8.8. C. is continuously broadcasting news of the North African landing in French, German, Italian, and every other European language. A joint British-American declaration broadcast to France said: “The hour of national uprising has not yet been sounded. We will warn you when the hour comes. To-day that hour is closer.”

PRESIDENTS APPEAL

ORDER TO RESIST “HONOUR AT STAKE" DEFENCE OF EMPIRE (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. Marshal Retain has ordered the French forces to resist the United States landings in North Africa. In an answer to President Roosevelt, broadcast from the Vichy radio, Marshal Petain said: “ I learned of the aggression of your troops against North Africa in .your message. You invoked a pretext which nothing can justify. You ascribe to your enemies an intention which has never been translated into action. We always declared we would defend the empire if attacked. You knew we would defend it against an aggressor. You knew I would keep my word. “France and her honour are at stake,” he declared. “We are being attacked, and we' shall defend our.selves. That is the order I am giving.” A Vichy communique stated: “We appeal to Frenchmen not to allow themselves to be swayed by foreign broadcasts. The Government will keep you informed of events. Marshal Petain’s answer to President Roosevelt shows everyone his duty. Discipline, calm, and unity are necessaryr Admiral Darlan is on the spot. France has known other difficult times, and will face this one, inflicted by a nation which every Frenchman respected and for which French blood was once shed Our honour requires it.” Another Vichy communique says that after a violent bombardment the British attempted to land in Algiers, and enemy speed boats were beaten off with losses. Complete calm prevails in the city. Other attempted landings occurred at other parts of the coast of North Africa, particularly at Oran. They were everywhere met by the coastal defences, and the attempts were unsuccessful. Admiral Darlan is in Algiers, and General Juin. Commander-in-Chief of the French African army, has taken the necessary measures in accordance with Marshal Petain’s orders.

PEOPLE OF FRANCE

ASSISTANCE FOR ALLIES (Rec. 11-.50 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. A recording in French of a message from President Roosevelt was broadcast at 2 a.m. to the French people. Leaflets giving the message were then dropped until dawn over the principal centres of France and French North Africa from United States and R.A.F. planes. - - President Roosevelt recalled the intimate ties between France and the United States and his lifelong friendship with the French people. He declared his faith in liberty, equality, and fraternity.

“ We come among you to repulse the cruel invaders who wish to strip you forever of the right to govern yourselves,” he said. “We have no wish to do you any harm. We assure you we will immediately leave your territory once the Italian and German threat is removed. I appeal to your realism and national ideals not to hinder this great purpose. Render assistance, my friends, where you can. We will see the return of the glorious day when freedom and peace will again reign in the world. Long live eternal France.” The Foreign Office has issued a statement that his Majesty’s Government subscribes in full to the policy and Ideals of the President’s statement. “The United States action was undertaken with the full support and collaboration of his Majesty’s Government,” the statement said. “ His Majesty’s Government has but one desire in relation to France—to hasten the day when Frenchmen everywhere will join together to restore the independence and greatness of France. The operations, initiated by the United Nations in North Africa are a step towards that day.” “I have given strict instructions that no offensive action will be taken if you observe the same attitude,” said General Eisenhower in a leaflet dropped over French North Africa. He added; “To avoid misunderstanding, display the Tricolour and the United States flag one above the other, or two Tricolours by day and searchlight beams vertically by night. A refusal to observe the following instructions will be interpreted as indicative of hostile intent:—Ships, remain stationary; do not attempt to scuttle ships; coastal defenders are not to man the batteries; other installations and aircraft are to remain at their normal places. Our principle object Is the same as in 1917—the destruction of the enemy and the complete liberation of invaded France.”

General Juin was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1940 and later released He replaced General Weygand last June.