STRENGTH OF AXIS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 3, 29 September 1943, Page 5

STRENGTH OF AXIS

Sober Estimates By U.S. Military Chiefs ' LUFTWAFFE STRONGER (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copy right.) (Received September 28, 11 p.m,) WASHINGTON, September 27. The German high command abandoned hope of victory several months ago, when it drastically reduced bomber production and concentrated on fighters, declared the deputy Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General McNarney. addressing a. conference of industrialists. He added: “The Germans are prepared for a savage, bloody struggle, hoping thereby .to avoid the penalties of defeat and forcing a stalemate.” General McNarney said that the air offensive had been a powerful factor in softening the enemy, but the Allied losses had been heavy. The Assistant Chiet of Staff- for Military Intelligence MajorGeneral George Strong, said: Germany now has thrice the number of combat divisions in the field as' when she attacked Poland.” He added that the Japanese resources were also tremendous. He discounted heavily any likelihood ot an early collapse either of Germany or of Japan and revealed information collected by military intelligence which showed that the Luftwaffe is now larger than in 1939, despite the heavy losses. Moreover, the Germans have 300 welltrained divisions, of which 60 were equipped or raised in 1943. Each division has approximately 600 machineguns and 300 heavier weapons. The Japanese still have 2,000,000 men of military age not called to the colours because so far they are not' needed. In addition, there are the same number in the 17-20 age group who are not yet to the* draft. The Japanese air strength was on the up-grade both numerically and in quality, added General Strong.