New War Council

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21689, 27 March 1942, Page 3

New War Council

CAMPAIGN FOR PACIFIC AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA NEW ZEALAND’S PART (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 27, 11.55 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 26 General Mac Arthur’s assumption of the supreme command has formed an AustralianAmerican front which will operate parallel with the British-American-Chinese command, says the United Press, and explains that this means that a Pacific War Council will soon be established in Washington, within the framework of the general Allied War Council, and that Australia and New Zealand will be given membership in the new Pacific Council. Washington circles declare that Australia has received assurances from Washington that the battle lines of the Philippines, Australia. Burma, China and India will be coordinated under central strategy in Washington, with a view to the earliest possible counter-offensive against the Japanese. Informed quarters also disclose that the British-Australian dispute over Mr R. Casey’s appointment as Minister in the Middle East has been resolved. They explain that Mr Curtin has accepted »§Mr Churchill’s reasons, but has won concessions regarding strong Australian ana New Zealand representation on the War Council. General MacArthur in Canberra A message from Canberra states that General MacArthur, on his arrival yesterday afternoon, was received by the Army Minister and the United States Minister, Mr Nelson Johnson, who gave him a very cordial welcome, which continued for some time. Then General MacArthur was brought into contact with the Prime Minister and his colleagues and members of the War Council, with whom General MacArthur had long consultations. Later again he met the British, Chinese and Canadian ministers. He was a guest of honour at a Parliamentary dinner last night, which was attended by the Governor-Gen-eral and various consuls. General MacArthur was given a seat on the floor of the House last night—a privilege previously reserved for distinguished members of the Dominion Parliaments and the House of Commons. Discussions which began yesterday are a prelude to deliberations continuing next week, when General MacArthur, in conjunction with the senior Australian service officers, also members of the Cabinet, will fill in details of the organisation and operational plans on which the defence I of Australia and an ultimate offensive against Japan will be based. It is expected that the names of the Australian commanders to work with General MacArthur will be announced next week. General MacArthur motored from Melbourne to Canberra yesterday in order to see the country. General MacArthur’s Pledge General MacArtfiur gave the following message to Australians today:— “We will win or we will die. To this end I pledge all the resources of my country and all the blood of my countrymen.” GENERAL ROMMEL DECORATED BY HITLER (Official Wireless) (Received March 27, noon) RUGBY, March 26 The Berlin radio says that Hitler received General Rommel and decorated him with oak-leaves with swords to the Knights of the Iron Cross. SHELLING IN LIBYA i DAY AND NIGHT PATROLS (Official Wireless) (Received March 27, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 26 A Cairo Headquarters communique states: Considerable enemy mechanised transport movements were reported in areas south of Tmimi and north of Mekili yesterday. Our armoured cars were shelled in the A 1 Kima area. Later in the day some enemy armoured cars were forced by our artillery to withdraw from a position Slightly north of A 1 Kima. Offensive patrolling continues day and night. RAIDS ON ITALY MILAN AND TURIN BOMBED j (United Press Assn.—Ere. Tel. Cepyrlg-nt) | LONDON, March 26 j Rome states today that British bombers were over Italy last night, their targets including Milan and < Turin. i