The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-09-15
LANDING IN SICILY


 With North Africa safely In his possession, General Eisenhower cast his eyes toward Europe.
 Working indefatigably for five weeks, he and his staff planned every detail of the job. When he was questioned about his chances for success, he pointed toward si- ely and remarked, Well Do ln there going well in e month"
 Day and night his bomberS were creating havoc over the Islands Of tho Mediterranean and far into Italy. The island of Pantelleria after 90 days of ineessant bombing and co-ordinated bonibardment by naval forces, was reduced to sham blCs. The garrison of 10000 troops vugFendered without on Allied loss en June Ii, i043, The island of .sainbedusa surrendered on the fol- owing dAy-and then LinoSp,
 General Eisenhower sat at his neAdquartefs, with his staff, work a1g out the deails in aeeordanee with c general plan which had been decided upon at the Casablanep Nonference, Through long hours Of seaseless discussion the strateeisti Iiirveyed charts, blueprints and maps involving every problem. Int I1inutest details were analysed redder Cunningham. and Aiexan- der were given the responsibility for strategy and supply.
 At the oblong council table, with Eisenhower sitting at the head, they shot questions back and forth in verbal volleys, When technical problem arose they called in experts and other generals to advise with them. After the days session, Ike would remain working alone until far Into the night, He was now rise ing at { o'clock in the morning and staying on he Job till midnight
 While the campaign was being organised, Anthony Eden, back in London, affirmed his complete con- tidence in them. Not enough has been said about the invaluable work of General Eisenhower in North Africa. Literally there Is no paral- lol for it in history, It is not Q joint Allied staff that he has created, but one single staff working toward one objective, What can be done In North Africa in war n be done elsewhere in peace
 On July Ike made an Independ- ence Day speech. The Declara- ton of Independence was made i67 yeas ago, after Q long and bitter battle he said, The three nations involved are now represented here. Unhappily they were not on the game side in that war. But today we are marching side by side to de. ieat an enemy which is trying to defeat everything our Declaration Of Independence stands for
 The invasion of Sicily on the night of July Q was now but A matter Of hours. The warships and transports had sailed. General Ei- SenhoWer watched the departure of m Allied air fleet and then went 70 his headquarters. He spen the night tracing he course of the inva- slon on charts in his office and in the Fighter Command room which had charge os the air umbrella GOV. sring the action.
 A few hours before the Sicilian invasion a terrific wind swept over the mediterranean. Ike watched ana gaugec 1t with his weather trained plainsman's eye. He went to headquarters and found mes sage from General Marshall:
 Is tt on or off and what do ,,o,, think?' 'O~
 It's onl Eisenhower wired back
 There's a high wind but I think well be able to report success in the morning"
 Throughout the work of the nigh Ike sustained himself by sippine Tea. Turning to an aide he smack. ed his lips and remarked. "The Engiish know what they're doing This tea habit is not so badl