The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-11-14
FLIGHT
Fast Thinking Back OF
Attack in Africa
Hitler Sirsieeists
Caught Mapping
u. S. Air Output Goes
Up; AXIS Declines
BY RAY TUCKER

ler's most formidable agencies in
spearheading his 1910 conquest Of
Europe-his intelligence service
and his fifth commissioners
completely outsmarted by the
American invasion of North
Africa. The operation was con-
Quoted with great secrecy. Aside
from the elaborate preparations
involving millions of tons of ship
ping. tanks, artillery, planes. food
and men, which transformed docks
and military centers here and in
England into beehives, there were
many other closely guarded moves.
The leaflets containing appeals
TO the natives were printed in
England. In order to obtain the
cooperation OF Generals Charles
de Gsulle and Henri Giraud. the
Fighting French in France and
Africa had 10 be let in on the.
plan. Rio de Jsneiro was tipped
OH so that Brazifs ambassador
TO Portugal timing his visit with
liz. d RS nine o'clock message,
could assure Lisbon that the at
tack meant no threat to her
sovereignty. Radio and news
pspermen allowed to go along had
to be informed so they could pro-
cure the proper garb for the
African climate and terrain.
Meanwhile our military repre-
sentatiyes, posing as civilian in
spectors and pseudo-diplomats in
unoccupied France. Madrid, the
Portuguese capital and in French
Morocco. were watching the enc
my closely and making full re-
ports on its strength. powers of
resistance and prospective reac-
ton toward our Intervention. Der
Fuehrer was INDUCING in under
statement when he admitted in
his Munich beer hall speech that
he had been caught "off guard"
The heads Of some of Himmler's
agents may roll.
The wooing and winning of the
famous General Giraud to our
side demonstrates conclusively
that the French people favor the
Allied cause over the Vichy gov
eminent and will welcome a tri-
umph OF the democracies. The in
cident is one of the most stirring
Individual exploits of the war.
The famous commander. who
escaped from a German prison
in the last struggle, Houdinied
himself out of an enemy fortress
six months ago. His ability to
rope scale a steep wall at his age
inspired suggestions that his get
away was phony and that he was
being used by the Nazis. But they
placed q price on his head and
demanded his return from Petain
and Darlan. He was too popular
with the people and ex-soldiers
for the Marshall and Admiral to
hand him back to Berlin. Despite
the reward for his reeapture he
moved about freely in utter safety.
A month before the Moroccan
expedition Allied spokesman got
in touch with him and found him
l a.
plan. Anglo-American and French
friends smuggled him out OF
France and placed him aboard a
plane or sub. He appeared in
Algiers only a few hours before
the United States landing.
He Immediately went on the
radio with . request that the
colonial troops offer no fight and
join the liberators. His action,
which may account for the speedy
fall Of this key city. startled the
old man in Vichy. Petain brand
ed the broadcast a propaganda
fake. assured the home folks that
Giraud was loyal and gave out
q letter in which he was supposed
to have pledged his fealty. Mean
while, De Gaulle gracefully side
stepped and left the stellar role
in Africa to the better known
First World War hero.
The steady and amazing decline
Of Axis air power provides WASH
ington and London with reasons
for looking forward to far short
er war than had been envisaged
only a few months ago. AT the
very moment when United States
production is topping five thou
sand machines a month-snd that
is nowhere near the planned peak
both Germany and Japan are
strapped for planes.
An important factor in the rout
Of Rommel was Hitlers inability
10 rush Luftwaffe reinforcements
to the vast desert stretches, where
sky scouting is essential to VIC
tory. Not even after the Mont
gomery breakthrough and the
Eisenhower invasion was it posi-
bic for Der .Fuehrer TO spare .
few bombers or pursuits for the
fleeing fox" The explanation -
that his main force cannot De
withdrawn from the Russian front
and his factories are not turning
out replscements in volume
Japan IL In no better condition.
according 70 some confidential
military sdviees. Although Tokyo
has concentrated her principal
strength in the Solomons sector
she haz uof been able IN 10 now