NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22125, 20 November 1941, Page 5

NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

Sir Alan Brooke Appointed British Army Changes By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18. It is announced in London that General Sir Alan Brooke, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Home Forces, will succeed General Sir John Dill as Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Sir John Dill, who is to become a field-marshal, will give up his post at Christmas at the age of 60, to become Governor of Bombay. Lieutenant-General B. C. T. Paget will succeed to the command vacated by Sir Alan Brooke. Major-General E. Nye will replace the Vice-Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall, who will take over a "very important appointment.” Comment On Changes The “Daily Express” in a leader on the Army Command changes says: “Changes are usually made after a battle and are then a bad portent. Those we have now made are not. They are a sign that fighting days have again come. The men who have been making the preparations move aside and the men we meant for action move up to take their commands. Those who have been promoted are young as generals go and know how the Germans fight. We expect hard hitting and quick thinking. We and not the Germans must decide how strenuous this battle shall be.”

The military correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says: “The changes are of great significance. They mean that technical knowledge in modem warfare and the more youthful viewpoint are

being given high places in the supreme command of the British Army at the time of its greatest tasks in history. The military correspondent of the ‘Daily Express” says: Major-General Nye studied army co-operation with the Royal Air Force and held staff appointments at the War Office Staff College. He became one of the ‘brains’ of the War Office when he was Director of Staff Duties. Major-General Nye’s brilliant knowledge of strategy led to his being frequently called Into consultation by his chiefs. MajorGeneral Nye is almost unknown to the army at large. He is a quiet and shy man who will not even permit his name to apepar in ‘Who’s Who.’ General Sir Alan Brooke is the greatest artillery expert in the world. He has an amazing technical knowledge of guns.” “The Times” in a leader, says:—

General Sir Alan Brooke by his leadership of the Second Corps during the withdrawal to Dunkirk and the reorganisation of the British Expeditionary Force after its return from France, revealed qualities fitting him for the highest responsibilities.” The “Daily Herald” asks what is behind General Sir John Dill’s departure? “Is it true that the Army even in wartime adheres to iron rules of thg age limit? If so this adherence is. crazy. Is there dissatisfaction with

General Sir John Dill’s conduct of his crucial functions?” The “Herald” asks the Government to give the nation a more detailed explanation of the reasons for the drastic change. General Sir John Dill in a statement said: “I am always anxious that young men in the Army get on. That can happen only if older men give way to them. I hand over to Sir Alan Brooke with the greatest confidence. Lieutenant-General Paget is one of our finest generals. Major-General Nye is an officer of my old regiment whom I marked out for rapid advance. Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall is required for a very Important appointment which will be announced soon. I leave the Service with the deepest regret but I am glad to say with no bitterness.” Major-General Nye is 46. He was commissioned from the ranks in the last war and was given his first battalion command ta the Warwickshire Regiment in 1937 He was promoted Major-General in 1940 when he became Director of Staff Duties at the War Office.