Revue de la Presse Libre. Supplément du "Courrier de l'Air" No. 26
Title
Revue de la Presse Libre. Supplément du "Courrier de l'Air" No. 26
Description
Local and national British press review focusing on North Africa, particularly the role Admiral Darlan will play following his appointment by General Eisenhower and ratification by President Roosevelt. The Economist examines President Roosevelt’s speeches, questioning some of the justifications and wonders how temporary the arrangements will be. Some publications, such as The Observer, The Daily Telegraph and France conclude that it was a pragmatic decision, although the former urges them to extricate themselves from the situation as soon as possible. France praises Roosevelt’s stance and notes the many resources French West Africa brings. Like The Yorkshire Post describes Darlan as a temporary expedient for military purposes. The President has ruled out any thought of the Vichy government being restored and erased all traces of their decision-making. Time is needed for the French in North Africa to come to terms with the new situation.
North Africa is framed as part of a general war plan with an impact on both Italy and Russia (The Daily Telegraph). Hitler is faced with a choice over how much he now commits to Italy. RAF raids have disrupted Italian transport, and Genoa’s arms’ production and supply base have been destroyed. France also points to the weakening of fascism in Italy, its country of origin. Propagandists, such as Giovanni Ansaldo and Mario Appelius, are having to develop new themes. Mussolini has failed to react to the presence of American troops in North Africa, possibly because of the large number of Italians in the United States. Commentators were seen to apologise after Italy entered Corsica instead of giving it a positive spin.
Several articles refer to Russian advances following the siege of Stalingrad. With large numbers of German prisoners, significant German losses and interrupted supply lines, the Germans are under increasing pressure. Hitler has a huge front to defend. 300,000 Germans are at risk of being encircled in Russia. France praises Russia’s successes at Ordzhonikidze and in the Don.
France is another topic in the newspapers. The Times describes Pierre Laval as a dictator who will ride roughshod through the constitution at Hitler’s behest. It calls on the French to continue their resistance. The Yorkshire Post reflects on France’s future. It believes liberation will have to come from outside the country. To regain its place in Europe, France needs to have learnt lessons and the government to be populated with people who stand up for freedom.
Also mentioned are Maxime Weygand’s arrest and Roosevelt’s appointment of Herbert Lehman to lead on the distribution of supplies in Europe after the war ends.
North Africa is framed as part of a general war plan with an impact on both Italy and Russia (The Daily Telegraph). Hitler is faced with a choice over how much he now commits to Italy. RAF raids have disrupted Italian transport, and Genoa’s arms’ production and supply base have been destroyed. France also points to the weakening of fascism in Italy, its country of origin. Propagandists, such as Giovanni Ansaldo and Mario Appelius, are having to develop new themes. Mussolini has failed to react to the presence of American troops in North Africa, possibly because of the large number of Italians in the United States. Commentators were seen to apologise after Italy entered Corsica instead of giving it a positive spin.
Several articles refer to Russian advances following the siege of Stalingrad. With large numbers of German prisoners, significant German losses and interrupted supply lines, the Germans are under increasing pressure. Hitler has a huge front to defend. 300,000 Germans are at risk of being encircled in Russia. France praises Russia’s successes at Ordzhonikidze and in the Don.
France is another topic in the newspapers. The Times describes Pierre Laval as a dictator who will ride roughshod through the constitution at Hitler’s behest. It calls on the French to continue their resistance. The Yorkshire Post reflects on France’s future. It believes liberation will have to come from outside the country. To regain its place in Europe, France needs to have learnt lessons and the government to be populated with people who stand up for freedom.
Also mentioned are Maxime Weygand’s arrest and Roosevelt’s appointment of Herbert Lehman to lead on the distribution of supplies in Europe after the war ends.
Date
1942-11
Temporal Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Language
Format
Two double sided printed sheets
Publisher
Rights
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Contributor
Identifier
MBoxDC1578987-180611-440001, MBoxDC1578987-180611-440002, MBoxDC1578987-180611-440003
Collection
Citation
“Revue de la Presse Libre. Supplément du "Courrier de l'Air" No. 26,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed June 13, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/47309.