The Wilmington morning star., 1945-03-05
u. S.-FRENCH AID
PLAN ThWARTED
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thorities in Washington last June
a few days before D.Day, ana Is
said to have since led to some
misunderstanding Of the problem;
Plan A, it was stated, was oaseo
purely for planning purposes on
the superstition that collapse OF
all German resistance might &C.
cur soon after the Allies had et-
fected successful landings in
France; that the Axis-occupled
countries of Europe would be lib
Grated, and that the Germans
would not pursue a "scorched
earth policy in their withdrawal.
On that superstition, an estimate
was made in Plan A that the whole
of continental France would re-
ouire for civilian relief in a six
month period a total Of approx
mately 2,225,Q00 tons OF imported
supplies. This included some 700,-
900 tons of food, 10000 tons OF
petroleum, 10000 tons of soap, AGO.
900 tons of agricultural rehabilita-
ton materials, and 900, 900 tons of
agricultural rehabilitation mater
ials, and 900, ZOO tons Of coal.
Food requirements included esti-
mates of 400. 900 tons of wheat,
10000 tons of canned meats and
stew, $4,000 tons of evaporated
milk, $4,000 tons of dehydrated
soup, and smaller quantities OF
cheese, lard, sugar, coffee and
salt.
In turning over these estimates
to the French authorities in Wash
ington, the War Department stated
explicitly and in writing that they
could not in any sense be regard
ed as commitments; that they were
based on certain stated assump-
tons, and that the estimates did
not deal with whether the supplies
would be procurable, nor whether
there would be shipping available
for their delivery.
When the invasion actually be-
gan, the Allied armies were operat-
ing on basis of 9o-day programs
OF civilian supplies, subject always
to operational changes, and pre-
Dictated on the military require
ment that there must always be
sufficient civilian supply to assure
the prevention of serious disease
or civil unrest.
The assumptions of Plan A, of
course, never materialized. In
stead OF collapse of resistance,
the Allies encountered stiff opposi-
ton and German policy of sabo-
tage which wrecked harbor in
stallations, destroyed bridges,
damaged locomotives and railway
rolling stock, removed all motor
vehicles, and in general bequeath.
ed to the Allies, at least so far
as transportation facilities were
concerned, a truly "scorched''
France.
Also, only a part Of France was
liberated. Portions OF it even to.
day are in German hands, includ.
ing some Of the vital -seaports,
Obviously, the estimates of Plan
A were of no significance, and in
any case deliveries Of materials
in the quantities indicated would
have been impossible except at the
cost of delaying military opera.
lions. The later sWse: advance of
General Patton's Third army laid
heavy military supply require
ments on the Allies, and it was not
considered that General Patton
could be instructed to halt his on.
slaughts against the Germans.
The Allies continued their month
to-month deliveries of civilian SUD.
plies to France, thereby prevent
ing epidemic disease, starvation or
civil unrest. Military assistance
was given also in the restoration
OF docks and transportation sys.
TENS, thus aiding directly in the
fullest development of Frances
self-supply.
1t was disclosed at the War De-
partment that during the first six
months after D-Day the Allies de.
hvered in that part of France
which was liberated 262, $50 tons OF
civilian relief supplies. This in
cluded $4,000 tons of food, $4,000
tons Of petroleum, $40 tons of medi.
cal supplies, $50 tons of clothing
$500 tons of soap, and 300 tons Of
blankets.
Working with French govern.
ment officials, the Allies have been
stepping up deliveries, and accord
ing to an unofficial War Depart.
ment estimate, the civilian supply
import program for France for the
first quarter of 1945 is $50, 900 tons
Army officials said that every
effort is being made to relieve
conditions in France, and that at
no time had the Army run counter
to White House directives, or made
promises which ,,@-> ,,.k,x.,,