Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1943 THE RAGE TO BERLIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 20, 2 November 1943, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1943 THE RAGE TO BERLIN

IF we are to believe the reports of the recently repatriated prisoners of war from Germany, the morale of the German people is exceptionally low. This depression is due to three important issues, the crushing defeats which have characterised the spectacular Russian advance, which have given all propaganda the lie direct, the growing weight of the Allied bombing offensive against industrial Germany and finally the overthrow and official withdrawal of Italy from the Axis partnership. According to one authority the German populace is openly desiring an all-out British-Ameri-can offensive which would beat the Russians to the invasion and ultimate conquest of Germany herself. So great has become the Nazi dread of Soviet vengeance, and so greatly has the conviction of ultimate defeat seized upon the public mind that it is now openly and even eagerly hoped that the second front will soon be opened and the German people delivered from their suffering is a result. How soon this latter wish will be gratified is still however a matter of conjecture. For the past two years, hopes have been allowed to alternately kindle and pale under the varying influences of the tide of war. That the day is immirfent however seems to be; regarded with growing certainty. Events such as the Anglo-Soviet conference and the recent broadcast to French civil servants have a sinister meaning which alone point to concerted action at an early date. Sabotage is the keynote of the British broadcast to French railway, postal and transport workers. Sabotage is the advice to the mine and factory workers, who are reminded forcibly that the: armies of liberation are at hand and are depending on them to pave the way for their advance and the dawn of freedom. Events leading to the greatest of all struggles are slowly taking shape and the shock of their impact must be borne by the Democracies before victory can be acclaimed and our ideals for the new world structure commence to breathe.