SURPRISE PUSH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 11

SURPRISE PUSH

•MECHANISED CAVALRY POSSIBILITY FORESEEN GERMAN WAR THEORY GREAT FAITH IN TANKS LONDON. Nov. 7. The possibility of a surprise tank attack by the Germans on the Western Front is discussed by Sir Philip Gibbs in the Daily Sketch. He quotes a leading British officer as saying that, while the enemy has formidable numbers of tanks and armoured cars, the British mechanised equipment is superior in speed, armour and gun-power.

Other experts predict that the Allies will ultimately build up an air force that will permit an overwhelming aerial invasion of Germany and force Hitler to make a desperate attempt to crush the Allied ground forces. “Most Important Thing”

“While the lack of fighting in Franco must mystify the public, we should remember, according to a distinguished officer, that behind the silence and secrecy may be a surprise in store for us,” says Sir Philip Gibbs. “This officer pointed out that the German war manual calls surprise the most important thing in modern warfare. “When young, this same officer went lurching across the Somme battlefields in 1916 in tanks which later broke the Hindenberg Line, and was wounded more than enough times to kill most men. Recently I met him again in Berlin, and he was still interested in tanks and -armoured cars, particularly the German varieties. Formidable Numbers. “He said that the Germans had great faith in the tanks and armoured vehicles, and had formidable numbers of them, but that the British were ahead in design, having improved the speed, armour and gun-power.

“He showed me armoured cars which were unexpectedly roomy for gun-working, manoeuvring, signalling and directing operations. If and when the present siege is interrupted it will be this mechanised cavalry which will push out to open contact with the enemy.”

“Military experts in' London believe that the destinities of the war will be largely determined in two periods,” says “Augur,” M. Vladimir Poliakoff, former diplomatic corespondent of The Times. Two Periods Detailed

“The first will coincide with the establishment of such predominance, in the quantity and quality of Allied aircraft, that the Germans will be forced to abandon any idea of a largescale aerial attack on Britain or France.

“Tlje second period is indicated the moment the British and French predominance reaches the dimensions of permitting an overwhelminy aerial invasion of Germany. “It is probable that before the first period, and certainly before the, second. Hitler will be obliged to stake everything on a desperate attempt to crush the Allied land forces.

“Another weighty reason driving Hitler not. to delay the fateful decision too long is the effect of the naval blockade, which, in spite of Russian aid, is believed to be bound ultimately to strangle German economic life. Thus I see good reason why Hitler, in spite of the preconceived idea of difficulties of winter operations, may attack the Maginot Line.” Pressure on Turkey A few experts, however, forecast the possibility of Hitler throwing large forces into the Balkans and challenging the loyalty of Turkey to the Anglo-French alliance, and perhaps assuring a Black Sea supply route permiting of prolongation of the struggle. “War will be here by January,” high German military instructors, who have been called home from Turkey, declared at Angora. “Meanwhile,” they added, “we will do nothing.” This form of propaganda is not meeting with any success, an Angora message says.