KING’S VISIT TO NORTH AFRICA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23977, 18 June 1943, Page 5

KING’S VISIT TO NORTH AFRICA

American Troops Inspected ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (J!ec. 10 30 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. The King’s arrival in North Africa was kept a close secret, but when it was announced that he was in the country, the news spread like wildfirs- enthusiasm of the welcome is pro-4&..'* every day. Tne 'King flew to North Africa in the Liberator bomber which was used by Mr Churchill. When the Liberator landed at a big airfield, it taxied to a far corner and the King stepped briskly out. He shook hands with the Allied Commander-in-Chief in North Africa (General Dwight D. Eisenhower). Others there to meet him were the Commandcr-in-Chief in the Mediterranean (Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham), the Air Officer' Commanding-in-Chief. North - west African Air Forces (Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder), and the British Resident Minister in North Africa (Mr Harold Macmillan). The King dined with General Eisenhower in Algiers, and invested him with the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. The next day the King attended a service at a chapel at the port, at which large numbers of sailors were present. He also visited a convalescent depot by the sea and chatted with wounded soldiers, sailors, and airmen. On Monday, the Royal aircraft took off for the headquarters of “the Commander of the United States sth Army (Lieutenant-General Mark Clark), where His Majesty saw the men and equipment of this newest army on North African soil. His Majesty ate sweet corn from an American mess tin and saw a demonstration by an entire American combat team, with jeeps, guns, and tanks Later the King saw battleships and Allied troops, and toured the battlefiC His Majesty left for North Africa late on Friday night. The pilot of the aeroplane was Group Captain E. H. Fielden, Captain of the King’s Flight, who has flown members of the Royal Family many thousands of miles. His Majesty made history, in that he fs the first British King to fly from Britain and also the first British monarch to fly to a battle front. Secrecy of Plans So secret were the plans of the King’s visit that only five men in North Africa knew about it in advance —General Eisenhower, General Alexander, Admiral Cunningham, Air Chief Marshal Tedder, and Mr MacKing borrowed his batman’s name for the North African journey. Ah his luggage was labelled "T. Jerram. Jerram has bden in the King’s service since he was Duke, of He was his peace-time valet but is now in the Scots Guards and attached to the King as batman. He accompanies the King on nearly all his journeys. <irp . The Algiers correspondent ot me Times” reveals that His Majesty’s aeroplane landed at Morocco for an houror so and then flew direct fo Algiers The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg) and the Secretary of State for Air '(Sir Archibald Sinclair) travelled by separate aeroplane. “There were only a few mechanics on the field when the King landed in North Africa at 8 a.m. on Saturday, says the Exchange Telegraph Agency s correspondent in Algiers. “Three ot them walked out to signal the aeroplane where to stop, and they got the shock of their lives when His Majesty, wearing the uniform of a field marshal, stepped out of the bomber. Word soon went round the airfield, and a crowd o'vßritish and American ground perejWicl gathered round the aeroplane. IWchatting with the men His Majesty remarked that he had had a lovely flight. Lighting a cigarette, he then walked across the airfield with his private secretary, Sir Alexander HardInge, and was greeted by- General Alex, ander. Talks With Commanders "His Majesty spent his first day in North Africa in consultation with service commanders. Next day he attended a church service at the Royal Naval canteen, accompanied by Admiral Cunningham. “There was an unforgettable moment when the King visited a stretch of beach where more than 3000 troops were enjoying a Sunday swim. The men caught sight of him standing on the verandah of a villa and instantly came racing across the beach. In no time a solid mass of tanned, dripping men were standing before the verandah. Suddenly the excited hum of conversation was hushed and the men began singing as though at a signal ‘God Save the King.’ The moment the Anthem ended His Majesty walked into the centre of the crowd and stood talking with the men nearest him. The men then struck up ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.’ The public welcome of His Majesty is growing each day.” An observer who followed the Royal car to Algiers says that French civilians Shouted “Vive le Roi.” Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says that seven American generals were tvith Lieutenant-General Mark Clark when the King inspected the American Cth Army. The security arrangements were carried out so perfectly that even high-ranking generals were not aware who was to be the guest until His Majesty stepped from his aeroplane. Roads Lined With Troops The Americans the previous day had rehearsed every feature of the programme, even to driving a cavalcade round the selected route and serving a midday meal, so the inspection tour moved like clockwork and ended without a hitch. The King travelled over mile after mile of roads lined with American troops and equipment. A stop Was made at the American cemetery, where the King paid homage to those who fell at Oran.

The day was brought to a climax by * visit to the sth Army’s training centre, where His Majesty saw commando tactics and street fighting. The sth Army put on an impressive show. The King paid high tributes to its commander. "The Times,” in a leading article, says: "The King’s visit to North Africa will give the deepest satisfaction throughout the Empire, and, indeed, among all peoples of the Grand Alliance. The forces know that he is an old campaigner, that he was in action at Jutland, and that the wings °n his Royal Air Force uniform were Sained as a trained, qualified pilot.” .The Times’’ pays tribute to His Majesty for "undertaking a hazardous Jg""ney, which public opinion agrees lightly and wisely undertaken as part c&his conspicuous service in the eause of the United Nations.” His Majesty has appointed five Counsellors of State to act for him during his absence from the Kingdom, iney are the Queen, the Duke of Uloucester, th_ Princess Royal. Princess Arthur of Connaught, and the Countess of Southesk. • The Queen’s lellow counsellors are the four who ar e next in succession to the Throne, excluding minors. Labour Disputes in Canada. —Labour disputes yesterday involved 12,000 Canadian workers. One thousand seven hundred dry dock employees went on ? S°-slow strike, halving their workjug time, and 10.000 in Toronto and Quebec remained idle in a dispute over S’uge rates and union contracts Toronto, June 16,