Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Exact Scope Of
His Command
Remains Uncertain
BY IVES GALLAGHER.

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTH AFRICA, Feb. cit.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was
named commander in chief of
Allied forces in new North Afri-
can theater of operations set up
today, as further results of the
unconditional surrender" con-
ference at Casablanca continued
to unfold.
The full meaning of the ap-
polntment was not Immediately
clear, but London military circles
did not interpret it as complete
and final answer as to who would
direct the United States, British
and French forces in the show
down battle for Tunisia.
In Washington, the War De-
partment said the new theater of
operations would include the
northwestern section of North
Africa covering Tunisia, Morocco
and Algiers. but would have no
effect on the commands Of Gen.
Sir Bernard L. Montgomery,
British 9th Army leader. or Gen.
Sir Harold Alexander, Middle
East commander
Catroux Sees Giraud.
The Eisenhower announcement
was made shortly after Gen. Henri
Giraud had designated French
War Committee" to replace the
Imperial Council" of the late
Admiral Jean Darlan, a move inter-
preted as a direct result of the
French high commissioner talks
with President Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Churchill last month.
Gen. Giraud's step apparently left
the way open for the Fighting
French under Gen. Charles de Gaulle
to be represented. Gen. Georges
Catroux Of the Fighting French
National Committee conferred with
Gen. Giraud in Algiers today on
taking post in the French African
government.
Later, however. it was reported
Gen. Catroux would not take a place
in the Giraud government.
Although the Eisenhower an
made no mention of
promotion in rank to a full general
authorities said that forces OF Gen.
British 9th Army en-
tering this theater would come
under his command.
From the Algiers radio, In a
broadcast recorded in London,
came a report that troops Of the
British 9th Army were "a good
so miles inside Tunisia," indi-
eating further that Allied efforts
to drive the Axis from Africa
were fast approaching a show
down.
Setback in Tunisia.
The Allies suffered a Tunisian
setback when the Germans cap
tured strategic mountain from
the British 20 miles south Of Pont
du Fahs, but the British announced
sea successes with submarines
sinking three more Axis supply
ships and a tanker in the Mediter-
ranean.
So far as the United States forces
were concerned, the reshuffiing of
command was virtually completed
with the appointment OF Maj. Gen.
Lewis H. Brereton, commander of
United States Air Forces in the
Middle East, as commander of all
American forces in that area.
Gen. Brereton succeeds 1t. Gen.
Frank M. Andrews, who was named
commander Of United States forces
in the European theater yesterday
to replace Gen. Eisenhower.
Separation of the United States
North African theater of opera
tons from the European theater is
one of the results of the Roo at
Churchill conference.
The North African theater and
the Egyptian -Libyan zone of Brit
ish Middle East operations are d.
vided roughly by the eastern border
Of Tunisia.
Observers specialized that under
the new Setup Gen. Alexander
tSee EISENHOWER, Page A-3D