Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-08-07
Invasion Force Unity
Assured, Says Writer
Sees Widespread Misunderstood.
ing on Supreme Commander
By Dapid Laurence

ing on Supreme Commander
By Dapid Laurence
Cooperation of the Army and the
Navy as well as the strategic air forces
on tri-partite basis under the direct
command of the United, States Joint
Chiefs of Staff has been assured for the
Pacific war.
Within the last few days orders have
been issued which are called "clarifica-
tion," but they in reality follow out the
plans made some time ago whereby the
armed services are to beSgiven specific
tasks in given situations and no "su-
preme commander" Is to be appointed
for the whole operation.
There is widespread misunderstand-
ing as to what Gen. Eisenhower COM
manded. Again and again it is. as
serted that he was the "su preme COM
mander" of all Allied forces in Europe.
But high officers who are fpmiliar with
the setup pointed out today that this Is
a mistaken impression.
Six Commands IN Europe.
Thus there were six separate and dis.
tinct commands in Europe as follows:
l. The British Navy, which included
the coastal air defense in which the
Raj operated under the navy.
2. The combined strategic air forces
of the United States and Great Britain,
which means the Raj together with
our own bombing forces.
3. The United States Navy command
in the Atlantic, which included anti
submarine operations. protection Of
conveys and naval defense against
enemy navies.
4. Allied forces in the Mediterranean
and Italy commanded by Gen. Alex
ander of the British Army.
S. Command of all Russian armies,
which was conducted from Moscow and
in the field by Russian commanders
solely.
6. Gen. Eisenhower's supreme COM
mand of all Allied troops on the western
front, starting in France.
With the exception of the brief period
of the landing on Normandy, when the
strategic air forces as well as the British
and American navies worked together
for few days under Gen. Eisenhower,
the latter did not have continuous over
all command of army, navy and air
forces in Europe.
Pacific PARALLEL.
Hence the situation in the Pacific is
really parallel to that of Europe and
if one choose to call it divided COM
mand," the phrase applies as much to
what happened In defeating Germany
as it applies to the plan for defeating
Japan.
Actually it is unified command at
the top level, but with specific tasks
assigned to each of the armed services.
Thus the United States Navy con-
tinues to function in its own special
way in the Pacific under Admiral
Nimitz, controlling It's aircraft carriers
and surface and submarine forces, as
well as the Marine Corps.
The strategic air forces of the Army
continue to operate independently un-
der Gen. Spaatz, but in the selection
Of targets in advance there is collabora-
ton between the naval air arm and
the land-based air forces.
The Army to be used against Japan
is to be commanded by Gen. Macarthur
This will consist of all ground forces
now in the Pacific, including those In
Okinawa and the Philippines and all
new divisions as they come from the
United States and Europe.
No Confusion In Plan.
There is no confusion" about this
| plan except in the minds of those who
| would like to have the whole setup
changed, so that an Army man com
mands the Navy or a Navy man com
mands the Army and the air forces
The United States Joint Chiefs of
Staff have recognized that each of the
three forces perform special func-
| ton. but when the actual invasion OF
| Japan or China occurs there will be
blending of forces, exactly as hap
| pened for a few days In Europe. Thus
Admiral Nimitz will conduct the land
ing operations, in which the Navy plays
part-and 1t will be the major part
The strategic air forces will for the
time being be blended with the land
ing operations, so that when the troops
have been landed, and their initial
positions have been made secure, Gen
Macarthur will have command OF
all land forces, as well as the strategic
and tactical air forces, but he will
not have any command over the Nays
protective operations at sea, since these
can best be handled from a command
that is afloat.
There is in Army and Navy and air
force circles here complete understand
ing Of the plan for the invasion, and 1t
has sufficient fexibility to take care of
unforeseen contingencies. The high Of
flcers most concerned in all branches
see no confusion in it, but are prepar-
ing to demonstrate that all the armed
services can be co-ordinated without
putting any one man in charge of all
operations.
Reproduction Rishts Reserved.)