ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25135, 28 January 1943, Page 5

ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS

SURPRISE FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 27. Elaborate precautions were taken- to guard Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt during their stay at the small holiday resort where the conference was held. Guards were stationed everywhere. Scores of anti-aircraft guns had been brought to the area, and the black-out was perfect. President Roosevelt’s presence in Africa was not even suspected by a regiment of United States soldiers when they saw approaching a convoy of limousines, escorted by scout cars, armed with heavy machine-guns. "Another bunch of brass hats,” one man growled. Then the man with a famous smile, President Roosevelt, passed, riding in a jeep, and the whole regiment who could hardly believe their own eyes, smiled back. Scores of fighters formed an umbrella over the convoy, and the roads and bridges were specially guarded. The French population and soldiers were most surprised when they learned of the arrival of the distinguished visitors. President Roosevelt gave a dinner for the Sultan of Morocco and his son, and found them wholeheartedly for the Allies. Among President Roosevelt’s visitors were General Nogues, Resident-general of Morocco, and Admiral Michelier, commander of the French fleet which opposed the Allies’ landing In North Africa.

It was the first time since the days of Lincoln that an American President had visited an active war front.