ALLIED ARMIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 June 1943, Page 3

ALLIED ARMIES

ALONG NORTH AFRICAN SHORE POISED FOR ACTION SECRECY REGARDING EIGHTH ARMY. MAJOR AIR FORCES STILL HELD IN RESERVE. LONDON, June 7. The Allies’ armed strength along the whole North African coastline from the Atlantic to the Turkish border is greater than it has ever been, says the Cairo correspondent of the British United Press. It includes British, Americans, New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians, Poles, Fighting French, Belgians and Greeks. This immense concentration means that the Allies will be able to hit out at any of a dozen places. The British forces include “Britain’s forgotten men,” a nickname applied to the Ninth and Tenth Armies because they were unable to share the glory of ’WI invincible Eighth Army. They have received most rigorous training, mostly based on lessons learned in North Africa.

They are ready for any job, but it is useless to speculate what the job will be. It is known that the Eighth Army has undergone certain modifications, in both formation and training, but the army’s whereabouts is unknown. The correspondent adds that, in spite of the tremendous Allied air strength, which is at present pounding Italy and its islands, major air forces are still held in reserve.