A GAMBLER'S THROW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 160, 15 May 1940, Page 4

A GAMBLER'S THROW

TWO views of Hitler's invasion of the Low Countries are possifile—that it is a desperate gambler's throw brought about by the blockade,, or that he has sufficient surprises up his sleeve: to ensure success for this latest strategic move. The first of these surprises, is already evident —the landing of parachute troops —or rather spies-—in Holland and, Belgium must create a certain measure of confusion; but though the situation has not as yet been clarified, Dutch and Belgian reports are that these countries have the situation in hand. How mucih importance the Germans have, placed upon this form of attack may be judged, from the fact that the Daventry commentator characterised it as the main feature of the attack wh'ich Germany had launched. Up to that time, though the German land offensive was extremely heavy, it was not comparable with the mass infantry attacks which were a feature of any major putsch of the last war. The purpose of the German attacks seem fairly clear —by winning their way along the Albert Canal and the Meuse they are trying either to outflank the heaviest portion of the Maginot Line or drive through to the sea. At the same time a thrust on the Luxembourg area has been described by the French as the first serious offensive yet attempted. To reach the sea through Holland is probably the first objective if the attempts to take and hold the. Rotterdam aerodrome are a.ny criterion.. Yet the feeling still pertains, unless the parachute landings cause sufficient diversion to let the Germans attacking the. Low Countries march in easily, that Hitler is desperate. Since the outbreak of war he has had the opportunity of attacking Holland and Belgium, an attack which would at the very least give him splendid bases for his submarines ancl aircrafts to prey on British ships in the North Sea. But he holds his hand for eight months in which Holland and Belgium mobilised,, strengthened their frontiers, and in co-operation with the Allies prepared for a surprise attack; and valuable months during which the Allied forces on the Maginot Line have been greatly strengthened, and that portion of the line lying between the Low Countries and the sea must be immeasurably stronger than last September. Perhaps by his invasion of Norway Hitler hoped to weaken, by diversion of troops, the Allies' power of aiding Belgium and Holland; perhaps he relied too much on the Mediterranean diversion; but it seems the Allies have prepared for the eventuality that has arisen. And this time the Allies will have bases equally effective as those of Germany, and. will meet German planes on equal terms. Perhaps, if the reported failure of the. Germans to seize aerodromes is substantiated, Hitler has already suffered, a major setback to the carrying out of his plans. At all events, the Allies will have to do all that lis in their power to stay the advance. This is no side-show as 'in Norway. Once again, the Western Front is to be the real testing ground, and Italy is watching the progress of Germany before she commits herself to any line of action.