WHAT NEXT?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 72, 14 May 1943, Page 4

WHAT NEXT?

THE surrender of the remaining Axis forces in Tunisia,, the capture of their Commander-in-Chifef' Von Arnim, closes, we hope for ever the colourful epic known as the North African campaign. Now that the tempest of battle has subsided and our heroic fighting men have time to refresh and recoup themselves after the arduous last push through the rugged mountains of the inland plateau, it is interesting to look ejsewhere and to note the changing position on the European mainland and in the Balkans. At the Eastern end of the Mediterranean Turkey can no longer be regarded as friendly to the Axis. On the west, the Spain created by Franco likewise can see the folly of declaring too loudly its pro-German leaning, other than by peace feelers. What then? France-garrisoned by the Landwehr forces of the German Reich, stripped of her own fighting men, and riddled with an underground spy system, presents to-day almost as bold a front as the German mainland itself. Greece, famished but unconquerable remains a crippled state defending its independence like( Yugoslavia from the mountain fastnesses of its hinterland. What then? Italy! Italy the weak streak in Hitler's unholy triple alliance. Italy definitely appears to be the next line / of action and just how well her people comprehend this possibility is shown by the frantic last minute efforts to hastily build up and strengthen her coastal fortifications. Ripe for revolt and almost bled white the Empire, of Mussolini appears to be the obvious objective of the first Allied thrust into 'the European mainland. First the engulfment of tiny Pantellaria, then the invasion of Sicily and' "Sardinia, thus providing air and military bases from which the conquest of Italy could be launched. Such action would appear to be the most likely and the least expensive as far as lives and war equipment is concerned. The next few weeks will be pregnant with movements which-will have a vital and direct bearing on the whole of the future course of the war.