ALGIERS, June 6, 1944 (UP) - Frenchmen and women gasped, embraced and then wept this morning as the first reports of Allied landings in France as announced by the Germans came from early morning radio programs.
Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of many, but rejoicing was muted by the realization of the death and suffering the news will mean to many Frenchmen and others alike.
It was disclosed that General Charles De Gaulle flew from Algiers Saturday to be in London in time for the invasion.
Shortly after the word began to get around, every radio in French North Africa and Corsica undoubtedly was tuned to the BBC for news of further landings. The invasion of liberation has become a fixation not only with Frenchmen but with Belgians, Hollanders and Norwegians as well.
Now the men of the Maquis - the "French forces of the interior" - can swing into action at the word of the Allied command, not as mobs but as disciplined groups acting on orders radioed from Britain by their commander, General Joseph Koenig.
Frenchmen clustered about their radios to hear General Dwight D. Eisenhower's message to the people of France.
"Noble," they murmured as his voice went on.
