TIME FACTOR IN NORMANDY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 26 June 1944, Page 6

TIME FACTOR IN NORMANDY

Advantage With Allies BATTLE OF ATTRITION IN PROGRESS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—'Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received June 25, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 2a. A 'battle of attrition is now in progress in Normandy, says Cyril Falls in the “London Illustrated News.” The attrition may be rapid or slow. Just as Napoleon’s policy on several occasions was the wearing down of. the enemy on one part of the iront Itefore launching a decisive attack, so those expert fencers, General Montgomery and Field-Marshal Rommel, are now employing the same tactics. But where the time factor is concerned, General Montgomery seems to have the advantage. He can better afford to wait, and though he can be very quick he can also be very patient when patience is called for. . "My belief is that on the organizational side we have passed through the most dimcult phase,” said the correspondent, but that as regards fighting, the test is still ahead The main battle remains to be fought. It will be fierce and on a big KCi He adds that it seems clear that General Montgomery will try to establish his left flank on the Seine and his right on the sea in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Bevond that, it is impossible to see, A great deal will depend on the extent to which the enemy’s forces are tied down on other parts of the coast in the south and even in Italy, where he is doing his best to disengage, maybe hoping to nun himself in a position where he can spare a few more divisions for France. A great deal will depend also on the Russians and the extent of the successes they achieve this summer. -The Russian offensive in Finland, while not engaging any German troops might, it sue* cessful, exercise an important effect on the future conduct of the war m the Baltic region, and indeed, on the whole northern front. State of German Morale. Commenting on German morale, Mr. , Falls says: “There are two things we may accept as sure, first, that German resistance is still not nearly broken, though it is weakened and that. Nazi fanaticism has made every conceivable preparation to prevent a crack and to keep Germany, in the firing line if necessary with the aid of the machinegun; secondly, that tough as the Germans are, they nevertheless will crack if they are heavilv enough beaten and made to realize that further resistance is useless. This is the moment of danger—danger that the Allies may be unable to grasp opportunities which would lead. to a quick ending of the war*—but it is also the moment of promise.” The “Observer’s” “Strategicus’ says that at present every feature of the con-' solidation glistens with stirring deeds. It is daily, even hourly, a triumph for General Montgomery who has. secured elbow room and communications that facilitate manoeuvre. In spite of all the technical ingenuity and resourceful courage that has kept the supply problem in subjection, it remains a difficulty while there is no first-rate port available. It is this that gives importance to the great base of Cherbourg, a port which however badly damaged it may be, will speedily afford the sort'of supply vent that is needed and from the first it has coloured General Montgomery’s movements as it certainly, did the Allied plan. When the landings were first made, the Allies offered hostages to fortune, mainly in the east. In the neighbourhood of Caen they were nearest the enmy’s strategic There he could most swiftly react to the challenge.” “Strategicus” continues: “There he could at least afford to permit the Allies freedom to reach out and .find their lebensraum. In the west, the landings about the Vire could at first be neglected since they were not linked up with the eastern landings and- seemed for some time rather precariously poised about the beach-head. East, of the upper Vire. no enlargement could be allowed without danger, since the centre of all western communications lies'but IS miles from Saint Lo. “It is for this reason that, threatening an irruption either to the east, or the south, General Montgomery has been able to hold to ad hoc defensive battles the armour which was designed for more appropriate and. vital use. Rommel has apparently’ brought into the area either half or more of the known panzer divisions in the west. Yet he has been unable to deliver the staged counter-attack which was expected and which was his natural task. Under cover of the attraction of this area, the western sector was built up and at length it developedi beyond recognition. “The cutting of the communications with the main German force was brilliatatly carried out and now Cherbourg is not . only isolated, but under imminent threat. For a fortnight's work that must he considered remarkable.”