Reason Sought For Change in Command In the Middle East

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1942, Page 4

Reason Sought For Change in Command In the Middle East

Influence of General Smuts seen in decision. Sydney, Aug. 21. Some clue to the future of General Sir Claude Auchinleck, who has been replaced by General Sir Harold Alexander as commander-in-chief, Middle East, is being sought by the British public, states a London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald. Infdrmed comment questions the wisdom of changing the command at a time when an Axis offensive against the Nile delta is possible. There is also surprise at the transfer of General Alexander to a front away from the Far East, for he is the only British general to have fought the Japanese at close quarters throughout the very difficult rearguard action in Burma. Some observers also hint that the conference between the British Prime Minister, ' Mr. Churchill, and the South African Prime Minister, General Smuts, when the former visited the Middle East on his way to Moscow, was connected with the change of commanders-in-chief. The public is wondering whether General Auchinleck has proved incompetent or whether his field appointments have caused difficulties, which have resulted in the change; whether repercussions, particularly in South

Africa, following the fall of Tobruk, led to 'pressure for reorganisation; or whether General Auchinleck will receive more responsible work. South African casualties at Tobruk were 10,100, , most of whom have been classified "miesing" or "missing believed prisoners," and this has caused perturbation throtighoul; South Africa. This somewhat- resembles Australian alarm after the Greek'i^Crete and Malayan campaigns. TK# ddliclte political position in South Africa lahd- General Smuts' suggestion that he ■ should meet Mr. Churchill at Cairo give weight to the suggestion that General Smuts influenced the reorganisation.-. -