Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-11-11
Attack on Africa
Decided in Talks
With Churchill
Russia Told Of Plans;
President Warns
Against Optimism

WASHINGTON, Nov. II tUP).
A smashing Allied offensive
against the German army on the
mainland of western Europe In
I1943 was a definite prospect today
in the light OF President Roose-
Ivelt's disclosure OF the strategy
which led TO the second front in
North Africa.
Mr.. Roosevelt outlined the
events leading ub TO the invasion
for a press conference yesterday,
letting the Axis know II could
expect more and bigger second
fronts" as the war goes along.
But the President also warned
the American public against too
much optimism because of the
African campaign and its success
thus far.
INVASION PLANS
He said the country should not
become unduly depressed over one
military operation and unduly
elated over another. The Amer
lean and British campaigns In
Africa seem TO be going well. he
said thankfully. adding that IL
was unwise 10 do too much prog
nostication on any military oper-
alton, good or bad.
Evidence of Allied intentions TO
invade continental Europe some
time in 1913 stemmed from Mr..
Roosevelt's disclosure that an in
vasion of the Belgian coast was
decided on in Anglo American con-
ferences beginning last December
shortly after Pearl Harbor.
Plans were changed. however,
when IL became evident such an
defensive could not be launched in
1892 with reasonable chances of
success.
Many plans were discussed. he
added, before the African cam
paign--second choice - was de-
cided on during the past summer.
MOLOTOv'S VISIT
While the invasion of Africa In
no way limits the aspects of other
United Nations operations. the
president explained. he enpha-
sized the impossibility of major
defensive across the channel this
wear.
After Russian Ambassador Molo-
TOYS visit in early June, the White
House said he and the President
reached a full understanding b. &.
with regard to the urgent tasks
Of creating q second front in Eu-
rope in 1912"
Two weeks later Prime Minis
ter Winston Churchill met in
washington with the President.
During Churchill's summer visit
they discussed whether to launch
very large scale offensive in the
middle of 1943 or one on q smaller
scale in 1912.
AGREE ON DATE
They agreed on an African Of
fensive in 1912. BY the end of
July. the President related, certain
fundamentals had been deter
mined, including the size OF The
force and the points OF attack.
BY the end OF August the ap-
proximate date was set.
Churchill undoubtedly gave Sta
lin a full account of Allied stra-
tegy in August when he visited
Moscow. probably outlining the
reasons of manpower, production
and equipment for delaying a
frontal attack on the western
coast Of Europe. Mr.. Roosevelt
said that Churchill had most of
the details when he went TO Mos
COW.
In July when American and
British military and naval leaders
were working on detailed plans
for the invasion of Africa, the
President said people were begin
ming to talk about a second front
when actually a second front had
been decided on by the two gov
lernments.
After the date for the invasion
was set, Mr.. Roosevelt said he
and Churchill had TO sit quietly
and take il on the chin while out
lsiders demanded action.
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