Evening star., 1942-11-09

the eastern most domain of French
North Africa, are the only major
coastal areas of the empire so far
exempt from the Allies blows.
What has been accomplished Is
the initial landing" the headQuar-
ters spokesman asserted, however,
and observers in London forecast
swift. occupation of the strategic
cities and communication centers in
an effort, dovetailed with the British
9th Armys Egyptian-Libyan drive,
to sweep the Axis entirely from
Africa and prepare the way for an
invasion of Europe.
With the heavy cloak Of secrecy
partly lifted, now that the conveys
have reached their goal and the
shock troops have gained firm foot
holds, several dramatic sidelights
of the expedition became known.
One was the fact that some of
the American forces ashore in North
Africa sailed directly from the
United States to join others from
Britain in what was probably the
greatest sea-borne troop movement
in history.
Cunningham ReappeArs.
Measured by its armor and
weapons, its carrier based planes,
the guns of its protecting warships
and the striking power OF the
Rangers. parachute troops and ar
mored forces. it certainly was the
most formidable of all time.
Another was the dramatic re-
appearance in the Mediterranean OF
Sir Andrew B. Cunningham. back
at the scene of his triumphs over
the italian fleet as the commander
of the British naval forces CO.
operating with the Americans. AS
commander of Britain's Mediter-
ranean fleet before he went to
Washington to sit in Allied coun-
ellis, Cunningham crippled 1taly's
sea power at Taranto and Matapan.
On the Mediterranean coast,
where progress apparently was fast
est with Algiers already in Ameri-
can hands and Oran in wise be-
tween what Vichy called large land
| ings both east and west OF the
| town, three airdromes had been
seized and put to use by the United
States forces.
On the west coast, Vichy reported
that the landing field at Rabat had
been evacuated.
Here. however, the situation was
not entirely clear.
Although the new IS 5,000-t ton
French battleship Jean Bart and at
least four submarines were known
from Vichy reports to have been
hit, the French did not disclose how
grave were the naval blows they
suffered at Casablanca.
The Vichy radio mentioned the
landing of several infantry regi-
ments in the neighborhood of Casa
blanca and said the town was being
threatened, but gave no details OF
the strength of the beachhead OF
it's distance from the Moroccan
port.
Up the coast at Port Lyautey
(Kenitra). Is miles above Rabat. it
said an American attack had been
repulsed.
Three Lines of Approach.
The southernmost landings, al
Mogador, Agadir and Saf1, gave the
United States forces three possible
lines of approach toward Marakech
the inland southern capital of Mo-
rocco, if that is their plan.
With the fall of Algiers. French
broadcast said the defenses of North
Africa had been split.
Gen. Barreau, the announcer said
is in command of Eastern Algeris
and Tunis and Gen. JUN in Mo.
rocco and Western Algeria as fal
as Oran.
Nothing is known authoritative.
about the position Of Admiral Oar.
lan," he said.
Despite this Vichy indication tina
North Africa was rallying behint
Marshal Petain's decision to fight
Gen. Henri Giraud, the Nazis' es
capped captive, remained potentia
factor along with the subdued D.
Gaullist uprising in Morocco.
Gen. Giraud has broadcast tina
he was taking command in Nortl
, Africa. Despite Vichy's insistenc
that it was not Gen. Giraud VIII
spoke, Allied sources here declares
it was and that he spoke certainl
with Allied knowledge and prOb0bl