STAKES HIGH

Evening Star, Issue 24290, 3 September 1942, Page 5

STAKES HIGH

IMPORTANCE OF CAMPAIGN BOTH SIDES STRONGLY REINFORGED LONDON, September 2. * The Times ’ says the first news of the German move strongly suggests that Rommel intends to play for the highest stakes. The importance of the stakes can be appreciated by reflecting on the consequences of a complete victory for either side. If the enemy overruns Egypt, 1 The Times ’ points out, he wins the base of the British Mediterranean Fleet, the eastern shores of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, and through Syria he can offer a _ new menace to the Russian armies in the Caucasus. if the Axis is defeated, especially at this distance from his main base, there is the possibility of reestablishing Allied control of the Mediterranean, which would mean the regaining of a supply route of supreme importance and the opening to the growing offensive power , of the Allies of the coasts of Italy and other parts of German-occupied Europe. ‘ The Times ’ military writer says that both sides have been strongly reinforced since the last fighting. The enemy recently received one new German division and one Italian division. The enemy’s force now apparently includes the German 15th and 24th armoured divisions, the 90th light and the 164th divisions, the Italian Ariete and Vittorio armoured divisions, and the Brescia, _ Pavia, Trento, Bologna, and Pistoi divisions. A German parachute battalion has also been identified. All these formations are in the strategic battle zone, but not necessarily close to the front. There may be other Italian divisions in Tripoli, It is an extraordinarily powerful army to maintain in the desert through shattered ports with improvised facilities. There is reason to believe that the enemy’s tank strength is not very high, and probably the enemy does not possess army and corps troops in adequate strength for an army of 12 divisions. ADVANCE SLOW ALLIES' DELAYING TACTICS LONDON, September 2. The latest despatches from the desert state that Field-Marshal Rommel, after an advance of eight miles through the Allied minefields near El Hameniat, swung one column to the north-east and another due north towards the Ruweisat Ridge. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ correspondent with the Eighth Army says that Field-Marshal Rommel is apparently seeking out our main tank force, which Lieutenant-general B. L. Montgomery is holding in reserve until the German column has been weakened by artillery and air attacks. The Cairo correspondent of the ‘ Daily Mail ’ says that the Allied forces have made no real attempt to stop FieldMarshal Rommel’s advance, but only to delay him. Therefore, his advance is regarded as slow, and no pessimism is felt here concerning it. From the Allies’ viewipoint, the battle has not yet begun, and Field-Marshal Rommel has merely moved into what is regarded as a huge “ no man’s land.” “ Whether the present operations in Egypt are a full-scale offensive or merely local only, the events of the next few days will show,” says ‘ Tho Times ’ correspondent with the Eighth Army. “ Under its new commandcr-in-chief, the Eighth Army is in great heart, refreshed, reinforced, and eager for action. There is full realisation of the vital importance of throwing back the enemy, and it can confidently be asserted that our men will fight to a finish. Tho Allied official attitude is neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic. For reasons of military strategy and policy there is likely to be little news for the next few days.” POLISH NAVY MANY RECRUITS FROM RUSSIA (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. noon.) RUGBY, September 2. Vice-Admiral Swiraki reported to General Sikorski at his headquarters in Scotland on the position of the Polish navy, which is taking over new warships of various types. This exten:«. : on of tho Polish naval forces has been made possible by tho arrival from Russia of many Polish sailors and volunteers for naval services.