The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-12-11
NEW PLAN S

z
As British-American forces mark
time with the Axis defenders OF
Tunisia the natural question arising
Is Why
No one outside the high military
circles can answer positively, but
from a distance the probable ansW
or seems to be that our troops have
accomplished all that was planned
for them, or more, and that thsV
must wait now for new plans and
additional supplies.
Never before has the importance
OF wise planning and perfect coor
dination Of forces. been more en-
phatically demonstrated than in the
recent American campaign. II
PROVES official recognition OF the
fact that war nowadays Is big bust
ness. Months OF hard work must
20 into the preparation for major
campaign. Possibilities must be
explored, estimates OF the situa'
ton made and detectives set. Al
ter that, ships, railroad trains
trucks or all three must be AS
sembied in the necessary quantities
and vast sto es or supplies must be
built up at points where they will
be needed.
According TO London reports,
General Eisenhower's headquar
ters began 10 plan the American
British stroke in Africa last May
After six months OF preparation
diplomatic and military, the mill
was ready to start grinding.
II is not likely that the estimates
prepared covered anything beyond
the borders OF Algeria. The
French Moroccan and Algerian
colonies form a unit, similar II
many respects, and as big as th'
whole East Coast OF the United
States between the Atlantic and tn
Alleghenies.
II Morocco and Algeria could b
occupied. a great step would haY'
been taken and - great triumph
won. But Tunisia was dineren
problem in all respects. Moderr
war must proceed by succession
OF bounds. Probably the origina
bound planned for General Eisen
howers force was from DakaI
and Casablanca to Bone in East
Algeria.
That this was successfully &C
complished in jig-time is an amaz
ing triumph, diplomatic and mill
tary. but now additional supplies
fresh troops and new plans are
necessary before another forward
bound can be taken.
Meanwhile, the British eighth
army advancing from Egypt into
Libya, stands halted at FL Agheila
for much the same reason. Gen
eral Montgomery men have pur
sued Nazi Marshal Rommel's- Afri
ka corps for more than 500 miles
That Is probably about as long z
jump as can be planned in advance
As in the case OF General Els n
hower's force. plans for the Brit
ish eighth army's advance were
months in preparation, hayini
started early in July followin'
Rommel's break-through, which VA
stopped by the British at Fl Ala
mein. Now ports. such as Tobruk
Derna and Bengahazi must be re
paired. new supplies accumulate
and fresh plans made before tn
final stage OF the fight for Nortl
Africa can be expected TO beg n
The final American.British cam
paign TO clear Africa OF the Nazi
and their Fascist allies promise
to be complicated by many hithert,
INFESTED factors In Mediterranean
war Playing a large part Is tn,
problem OF the effectiveness Of al
power close 10 It's land bases. a
exercised by the German.ltalal
air establishment from Sicily an
Sardinia.
According to all experience, TN
Nazi-Fascists have powerful po
sition in the center OF the Mediter
raneans 2,000-mile length d
their Ssrdinia-Tunisia.Sicily triau
gle with legs Of approximately 20
miles each.
Two hundred miles is a shor
hop even for the smallest fighter
type plane. Squsdrons at thes
three points can reinforce ea"I
other within not much more thsl
half an hours time.
Even before the Axis occupation
OF Tunisia, the 200-mile stretch O
the Mediterranean sought on Sal
DINA and Sicily was known as tn
bomb alley" by British naya
forces Only swift warships an
transports loaded with supplies 70
Malta ventured into this DANCE
area
Probably this triangular air-ior'
ress will have 10 be attacked D
the preparation OF flying fields an
air bases close enough 10 neutralik
Axis air superiority before a fna
push to thrust German.Italia
forces finally out OF Africa can b
launched.
While this is purely priyat
opinion and in no way reflects tn
views OF military or naval official,
IL seems logical and We believe tina
further victories can he safely al
ticipated. even II there should p
reverses in the meantime tina
appear discOuraging Our gains
Africa mark a turning point in IN
war and with our production rapi,
ly climbing ahead OF the best Ak
Efforts there must be misgivin
In Herr Hitler's camp that can J
his cause no good.