Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940 CRITICAL DAYS AHEAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940 CRITICAL DAYS AHEAD.

If Hitler is to carry out His tlireat to invade England this year lie cannot afford to wait much longer before his legions try to cross the Channel and North Sea. Considered opinion in Britain is that the days immediately ahead are the most critical as the aerial blitzkrieg against London foretells of wider action. The intense bombardment of the Metropolis, without recourse to military objectives, is significant. The Nazis iiave now cast pretence to the wind; they are striking at civilians just as they did at Warsaw, in several Norwegian towns, particularly Namsos, and against Rotterdam where two square miles of the city were devastated and 30,000 people killed. The intensity of that attack alone may well be understood when it ' is stated that only three houses were left standing in the two square miles. Hitler and Goering have decreed that new tactics must be employed against ■ the Empire’s beloved capital with all its rare and rich architectural treasures, and stout-hearted people. They have seen their attacks against military objectives thrust back with disastrous losses through the fairly long days of August and the declining period of September’s daylight; now there must be bombing for the sake of destruction —of buildings, food, armaments (if the bombs fortunately fall on munition works), and of civilian lives and morale. It is the Nazi technique of an air offensive as the prelude to an invasion by sea, according to inspired German sources, and Mr Churchill does not minimise the danger in his broadcast to the Empire. Hitler has not been allowed to perfect liis plans in the manner the Nazis best know —freedom from shattering blows. From Norway to France, Britain has known for some time past, there have been accumulations of shipping and men —the army of invasion. They have been instructed in the task of embarking and disembarking, but all through this time the R.A.F. and the Fleet Air Arm have been striking at the Nazis, clisorganising their preparations and destroying their means of crossing the sea. An unconfirmed report from the United States gives details of a disastrous attempt at invasion during August when, apparently, it was nipped in the bud by British action of which we have not had news. Unceasingly the R.A.F. is striking at everv preparation wherever it may be taking place—in the ports of Norway, Holland, and France, or iuland in the occupied areas, or in Germany itself. As an example Ostend, Calais, and Boulogne have been systematically bombed for lengthy periods in recent days. There the Germans have concentrated barges and other light shipping for the in-

vading troops, but so great was the devastation that little remained of service when the attacks ceased. German ports and shipping have been similarly dealt with, and there is not the slightest doubt of Hitler’s discomfiture. Whether he will decide to attack in the immediate future is known only to .himself and his immediate . associates, but one fact is certain—London’s ordeal will continue until he himself is satisfied that the work of destruction is assured. His own capital, however, is not escaping scatheless. It has had its heaviest raid and Berliners—the common people—must now know that they too can be bombed to destruction once _ the British command orders reprisals for the utter callousness and savage barbarism shown by the Nazis to London. That is a salutary lesson.