RETICENCE WISE
REGARDING OPERATIONS IN TUNISIA INTEREST IN SPAIN & TURKEY. MORE COMMENT ON DARLAN’S POSITION. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, November 22. One of the most frequent comments in the situation in Tunisia as present is the lack of news from Allied sources, but reticence is regarded as imperative at this stage of the operations. If for no other reasons, this is necessitated by the fact that the Axis airfields in Sardinia and Sicily are only half an hour’s flying distance away, and that the Luftwaffe would welcome any gratuitous information of the Allied forces’ movements. However, all reports indicate that the plans are going according to schedule, and news may continue to be scarce till definite results are achieved. It is also not expected that there will be news of any dramatic successes by the Eighth Army for a few days. An enemy stand on the El Agheila-Mar-ada line would necessitate General Montgomery massing the required strength. Interest is being focused on Spain and Turkey, both of which have reacted to the British and American moves by a strengthening of military preparedness. The general view that is that this is to guard against the possibility of Germany’s seeking to rectify her Mediterranean position by invading either or both. Germany’s total occupation of France means that she can put greater pressure on Spain, but it is not known whether she has made concrete demands so far. Apparently Turkish military .authorities are of the opinion that the next and final encounters between Allied forces and the Axis may occur either in Italy or the Balkans, or in both, and Turkey is determined to defend her neutrality. Much importance is attached in London to the R.A.F.’s raids against Italy. They were designed to devastate whole areas and throw the entire industrial and social life into chaos and confusion. The military significance is great, and a strain is thrown on the Italian railways system on which every available engine and truck is required to reinforce Sicily and the Mediterranean coast.
Laval’s replacement of Admiral Darlan as Petain’s successor is commented on caustically .Though President Roosevelt’s statement has removed many of the misgivings regarding Darlan, yet some uneasiness is continuing. It is possible that this will remain till the Allied forces have cleared the Axis entirely from North Africa. If Darlan then continues in his present position the misgivings may be replaced by something more serious.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1942, Page 3
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402RETICENCE WISE Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1942, Page 3
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