Evening star., 1943-05-14
One Of Greatest War Conferences History Maps Crucial Allied Strategy Here

putting into final shape the grand
strategy of the offensives in both
European and Pacific theaters of
war.
The highest names in both the
American and British war machines,
headed by President Roosevelt and
Prime Minister Churchill, were
gathered around the conference
table. Every phase of operations is
represented in the group that in
cludes men with wide experience in
the United Nations operations in
the Far East and India.
Eight of Great Britain's most i'm
portant and influential war leaders
accompanied Mr.. Churchill to
Washington to plan the final
strategy with seven of Americas S
top-ranking military leaders. Their
discussions probably will be the last
between the two groups before the
big guns open up in the wars final
phase.
Top-ranking British officer Is GEN.
SIR FRANCIS ALAN BROOKE,
youngest son of family of nine,
chief of the Imperial General Staff
and charged with all questions of
military policy affecting the security
of the British Commonwealth and
responsible for the organization of
victory in the field.
Born at Bagneres de Bigorre,
France, Sir Alan. who will be SO on
July %, brings to the conference
vast fund of technical warfare
knowledge, based on studies of Ger
man Panzer divisions in action. Re-
garded by many as Britain's great
est expert on mechanization, he
organized the successful British re-
treat at Dunkerque, saving the main
body of troops after it virtually was
conceded to be doomed. This ac-
ton was responsible for his eleva-
ton to knighthood by King George
in 1910.
Sir Alan, an expert angler and big
game hunter. served in Ireland and
India in the early stages of his mil
itary career and during the World
War served as general staff officer
in the Canadian Corps, He fought
at Vimy Ridge and later. after being
attached to the British 1st Army,
won the Distinguished Service
Order with bar, the Belgian Croix
de Guerre and many commenda-
tions.
SIR DUDLEY POUND, First Sea
Lord and Admiral of the Fleet, is the
son of the former Miss Elizabeth
Packman Rogers of Boston, Mass,
who married Alfred John Pound, an
English lawyer.
Sir Dudley assumed his present
duties in 1889 and a month after
being elevated to that post became
an admiral of the f1eet-a rank con-
ferred only by the King.
The admiral, who accompanied
Mr.. Churchill here on his first visit,
was director of operations in 1917.
when the convoy system first was
instituted on a large scale. Before
that he had commanded the bat
tleship HMS Colossus at the bat
tie of Jutland, gaining the Admiral
tvs attention by the skillful maneu-
vering of his ship under fire.
Sir Dudley has held every impor-
tant post of command In successive
steps and in 1882 served as Ad-
miralty representative on the League
of Nations Advisory Commission in
1882. Known as driving and ex-
acting commander, Sir Dudley
brings to the conference precise
knowledge Of the European naval
situation through his experiences as
commander in chief in the Mediter-
ranean during the early stages Of
the present war.
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR
CHARLES FREDERICK ALGER.
NON PORTAL has the distinction
of being the youngest and the first
real airman ever appointed chief Of
air staff of the Royal Air Force.
Under his direction are the eight
air marshals of the eight Raj com.
mands.
Sir Charles position as head Of
the air staff has put him in ex-
traordinarily close relationship with
the Prime Minister, with whom he
probably spends more week ends
than any other man in the services.
Responsible not only for the aerial
defense of the homeland but for the
offense on scattered global fronts
as we'll, the air marshal occupies
one of the most responsible posi-
tions in the military world
Sir Charles. who prefers the name
of Peter, is noted for his calm direc-
ton and fighting skill. After join
irg motorcycle unit in the World
War, he transferred to the Royal
Flying Corps. predecessor of the
Raj, and in one engagement took
on five German opponents.
His war feats won him the post
of chief flying instructor at Gram
dali, Britain's West Point of the
All. after the war. In 1910 he was
raised to knighthood.
1T. GEN. SIR HASTINGS LIONEL
ISMAY is one of Britain's top brain
trusters" and in his present position
one of the most vital links in British
military strategy. AS chief of staff
to Mr. Churchill he also is Minister
of Defense and secretary to the
Chiefs of Staff Committee. compris-
ing Gen. Brooke, Admiral Pound and
Marshal Portal, as well as military
secretary to the British war cobinet.
Tall and gray, Sir Hastings began
his career following his graduation
from Sandhurst on the Indian
Northwest frontier in 1908 The East
African Somaliland was the zone of
his operations in the World War and
it was during the course of his serv-
ice on the Dark Continent that he
discovered many hitherto unknown
valuable military routes.
Tours of duty at Indian Army
headquarters were broken by a term
at Andover Staff College in England.
From 1926 until the outbreak of war
in 1899 he was associated at various
times in capacities of increasing i'm
portance with the high-powered