REASON FOR RESIGNATION OF GENERAL AUCHINLECK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 5

REASON FOR RESIGNATION OF GENERAL AUCHINLECK

INDIA AND PAKISTAN

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 17. The Daily Mail’s New Delhi correspondent says the real reason for the resignation * of Field-marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck as supreme commander in India is the un-co-operative spirit shown by both India and Pakistan in disputes over sharing out of the equipment of the old Endian Army, Under the Lord Mountbatten plan, stores and equipment of the former Indian forces were to be shared roughly in proportion of two-thirds to India and of a third to Pakistan. The correspondent says it is significant to note that it is India which has been pressing for the closing of the supreme commander’s headquarters at the end of November, whereas Pakistan was anxious that FieldMarshal Auchinleck should remain as supreme commander until April 1, 1948, the date originally decided for the winding up of his administration. As the result of the decision to close headquarters of the supreme command in India on November 30, the IJritish Government has appointed Lieutenantgeneral Sir Arthur Smith, commander of the British forces in India and Pakistan during December, with headquarters at New Delhi. Major-general L. G. Whistler will succeed him on January 1, 1948, with headquarters at Bombay. Group Captain F. Barnett will be commander of the British forces in Pakistan, with headquarters at Karachi.