EUROPEAN FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25069, 10 November 1942, Page 3

EUROPEAN FRONT

FIRST BLOW STRUCK STRATEGIC PICTURE CHANGED (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 8. “ The blow struck in North Africa marks the turning point in the war and the beginning of a great offensive against the Axis.” comments the New York Times. ‘‘This is offensive action on a major scale, undertaken in a zone of operations lying close to the main masses of the German and Italian armies. It is the opening of a second front on that face of the European Continent where the enemy is least prepared to defend himself. “ The American landings in Africa are coincident with General Montgomery's victorious pursuit of Rommel and completely change the war’s strategic picture. If the Americans establish a firm beach-head in Morocco and the British annihilate Rommel's remaining forces the whole supply situation will be transformed. The average supply line distance from England to the North African coast will be reduced from 13,000 to 2500 miles, and ships can bring supplies in from onefifth to one-seventh of the present time, which .is almost equivalent to multiplying five-fold the number of available merchantmen.

“ Direct air communication would be possible from England, and air and land routes could be established directly across Africa, east to west. Furthermore, the threat of aid from Vichy to the German and Italian forces would be ended. Above all, the American landings expose the underside of Europe to invasion.”

MISLEADING THE ENEMY WASHINGTON, (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) Nov. 9. Feints and misleading reports played a part in deceiving the Axis intelligence system before the invasion of North Africa.

Observers in Washington believe that the story published in the United States recently that General Eisenhower was returning to Washington was deliberately spread with the intention of puzzling the enemy. Likewise London’s story of three British battleships in the distant Bay of Bengal, which the British censor approved, must now seem suspicious to Berlin and Tokio in the light of what has happened. Moreover, some suspicion exists that the Dieppe attack was calculated to mislead the foe. AMERICAN COMMANDERS FULL LIST ANNOUNCED ' (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 8. The War Department announced that Brigadier-general J. Doolittle, who led the raid on Tokio, commands the American air forces in the African expedition. Major-general L. R. Fredendall commands the Americans landing at Oran. Major-general C. W. Ryder commands the Americans at Algiers. Major-general G. S. Patton commands thg forces landing in the west coast of Africa. The War Department has not mentioned the whereabouts of the west coast landing places. Rear-admiral H..K. Hewitt commands the United States naval forces engaged in the expedition. Lieutenant-general F. M. Andrews commands the United States forces in the Middle East, and Lieutenant-gene-ral G. H. Brett commands the Caribbean defences. General Eisenhower’s status is clarified in a memorandum issued by Allied Force Headquarters. The latter, it is now revealed, was set up in London some months ago by direction of the Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington. Lieutenant-general Eisenhower was designated of the Allied forces, and a staff of British and American officers was selected.

When the threat of Axis invasion of North Africa became imminent. Lieutenant-general Eisenhower and his staff began making plans for the operation now under way. This unified command includes all land, sea, and air forces, both British and American, engaged in the operation. Lieutenantgeneral Eisenhower’s second in command is Major-general M. W. Clark, who, like his chief, has taken a prominent part in building up the United States forces in Britain. Lieutenantgeneral Eisenhower has concurrently been in command of all American troops in the European theatre of operations.