AXIS DEFENSIVE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 16, 14 October 1942, Page 6

AXIS DEFENSIVE

German Reiterates Intentions “ALLIES MISSED BUS” (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October 13, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. “The speeches of the Fuehrer

and Field-Marshal Goering express a transition in the military situation,” said the German military spokesman, broadcasting over Berlin radio. “There is a formula for it—from the offensive to the defensive. A wrong picture is gained if the formula is used to indicate a ; weakening' of the position of Germany and her allies. However, the transition cannot be doubted any more, and the slogan, ‘From the offensive to the defensive,’ is not wholly misleading. “The tripartite Powers in three years of offensive have achieved such successes that they cannot lose the war, even if they limit their actions to the defence of the conquered territories. This should not be understood as an announcement of our future war programme. It means only that Germany and her allies have won a completely unassailable position, from which they can expect—with composed calm and in the full certainty of victory—all developments to come. . “The end of the war cannot yet be foreseen, but the tripartite Powers have joined forces with time and space, and they can now cope with all military demands for any defensive and offensive necessities. “Discussion about a second front is in full swing in the enemy camp. If they only listen to reason they would admit their impotence, but Stalin urges them to go on. So far all their plans are based on the assumption that Russia can carry the main burden and weaken Germany’s capacity to defend the Continent. This assumption sooner ,or later will cease to exist, and it will then be proved that Britain and America have missed the bus. The United States has embarked on a vast armament drive, but it is, beyond their strength to reconquer Europe, Africa and Asia.”