A CRUCIAL PERIOD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 255, 8 January 1941, Page 4

A CRUCIAL PERIOD

IT is true to-day that Britain and her allies are still suffering heavily from the effects of the U : boat campaign, but this has not prevented a, rapid relative growth in Britain's military strength and resources. Dreadful as they are in themselves, the effects of the indiscriminate night bombing of British cities are not to be compared in military effect with the methodical and expanding attacks of the Royal Air Force on enemy military and industrial objectives. It is one of the cardinal facts of the war that whether Germany does or does not stake her hopes in the near future, on another attempt to invade Britain, she most certainly will be attacked with increasing power in her own territory and in the land's she has occupied. Not very long ago, it seemed likely that Germany might seek an alternative field or aggression and means of weakening Britain by diverting strong forces to the Mediterranean, by way of the Balkans and perhaps by other routes as well. In their direct and indirect effects, however, the defeats suffered by Italy have done a good deal to rob of its attractions, from the German standpoint, offensive action on a large scale in the Mediterranean regions. In an attempt to reach Syria, Germany would have to cope with resolute opposition by Turkey, as well as by Britain and Greece and it is by no means certain that the Nazis could aount upon an unopposed passage to the. frontiers of Turkey, or upon the security of their communications if a passage were forced. There have been indications of late that Russia would look Very much askance at a German south-eastward drive. Additional reasons thus appear for believing that the Nazi dictatorship may stake its remaining hopes upon a desp.-rate effort to invade and overcome Britain.. It cannot be doubted that the attack, if it is made, will be formidable. But it stands out as clearly that if it is launched in the near future, the attack will have poorer prospects of success than at a,n earlier period—for example in the days immediately following the evacuation of the British Exped-t.onary Force from Dunkirk —when the Nazis either feared to attempt it or Avere prevented from doing so. With the balance of developed military power much more in their favour than it is now or is ever likely to be. again,,, chey were beaten decisively in the great air battles of 1940 battles in which thc-.y lost 3500 planes over and around Britain against a British loss of 1050 planes, with four hundred of the pilots saved —and their preparations for invasion were smashed by the Royal Air Force. Probably any attempt they may make in the near future will be made with tremendous power and with a savage disregard of the cost in lives entailed. In order even to approach success," however, they must reverse, if they can, the air and other defeats they suffered when the material odds were much more in their favour than they are now.