START OF ASSAULT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25275, 12 July 1943, Page 3

START OF ASSAULT

COMMANDER’S ENERGY NIGHT AT HEADQUARTERS (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. In the early hours of this morning General Eisenhower heard that the landing on Sicily had been made and that everything was going according to plan, writes the Exchange Telegraph's correspondent in the first account of the invasion of Sicily for the Combined British Press. He says that General Eisenhower always carries seven old coins, including an English gold five-guinea piece. As the invasion fleet approached Sicily last night to begin the great assault on Europe the general gave the coins a good r.b for luck. In fact, as one of his aides said, he gave them several rubs. General Eisenhower spent all night at headquarters except for a brief period when he drove to the coast with a small party of his staff to watch the Allied air fleet leaving. Climbing out of his car, he stood in the moonlight with his hand raised to the salute as the air armada was airborne. The period of waiting between the planning of the assault and its coming into being was over.

Returning to his headquarters, General Eisenhower went at once to the naval section, where he joined the staff following closely the movement of operations on a chart. He spent some time in the Fighter Command room, from which the air umbrella, covering the operations was controlled. At 1.30 a.m. the general, apparently satisfied with the progress of operations, went

to bed next to the war room. He slept for three hours until awakened at 4.30 by his aide, who informed him that the assault troops had landed and that everything was going according to plan. The Royal Navy served the general with a cup of tea, and he then returned to the war room, where reports were coming in regularly. He remained there until he heard the 8.8. C. broadcast his message telling the people of France that this was the first stage of the invasion of the European Continent, which would be followed by others.

General Eisenhower then left the war room, but only for a change of clothes. He returned within a short period to follow with his commanders the progress of operations.