WESTERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1943, Page 3

WESTERN FRONT

SELECTION OF SUPREME COMMANDER DELAY CAUSING CONCERN IN LONDON. ACCORDING TO AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, December 20. “Considerable concern has been aroused in London over the failure to announce the name of the Allied com-mander-in-Chief for the European invasion,” says the London correspondent of the “New York Times.” “The British have never protested against the selection of an American, but they are frankly worried by the delay. “The British are further advanced than wc are in the choosing of commanders. It is understood that at least two army commanders have already been chosen as well as the chief of staff who will represent the British armies involved in the operation on the supreme commander’s staff in much the same way as a British officer has served with General Eisenhower on the Mediterranean front. “Though, there is not and never has been any British supreme commander, military observers point out that General Alexander is generally considered to be the best British general and deserving of a high place in any command.” The British railways are engaged in the most gigantic transport operation that has ever been undertaken, moving troops, equipment, and military supplies in preparation for the mounting of a full-scale second front, says the London “Daily Mail.” Train rationing was introduced at the London stations last Monday, after the greatest weekend traffic since the war began. The platforms .were locked as soon as a trainload of passengers had been admitted, and the people outside had to wait for the next train or return home. The Transport Minister, Lord Leathers, has ordered that railway traffic is to be dealt with in the following order of priority: first, troops and war supplies; second, mail and other freight; third, passenger traffic.