STRENGTH OF ALLIES

Southland Times, Issue 24829, 22 August 1942, Page 5

STRENGTH OF ALLIES

RAPID GROWTH (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 20. As August slips away, heralding the approach of autumn, there is increasing evidence that the United Nations’ power to strike in Western Europe. is mounting and rapidly increasing in momentum. But there is still doubt in many well-informed quarters whether a decisive blow can be delivered in 1942. This week has brought two of the most encouraging developments in many months. First, there was the Moscow conference which, despite the tantalizingly meagre details issued by the authorities and the highly colourful speculations in which some commentators indulged, remains one of the war’s most important turning points. Second, there was the Commando raid against Dieppe—the largest and most ambitious raid yet attempted, in which for the first time British, American and Canadian forces fought side by side. These events have caused a noticeable uplifting of public morale. The British, as New Zealanders well know, are a stoical race, not given to wearing their hearts on their sleeves. But, as month after month has dragged by without any development of that offensive against Germany which is obviosly indispensable to victory the intense public keenness which was marked after Dunkirk days has become blunted as the public has become fully aware that action must wait on the deployment of men and machines. It is understandable that these months of comparative inaction should have induced a feeling that we were drifting. The Stalin-Churchill talks, in which President Roosevelt, although not present, fully participated through Mr W. Averill Harriman, have demonstrated to doubters that the United Nations are fighting the war on a basis of one co-ordinated strategy, even though it may not always be apparent to the armchair critics. The talks should also finally silence the insidious suggestions that the British rulers will not move because they dislike Russian politics. NO FALSE HOPES It was a war council conducted without any false hope—rather with the realization that all the Allies must fight on the Russian scale before victory can be won. That is how the conference should be viewed. It should be considered, in. fact, as a war council preparatory to action. The Dieppe sortie, rather than a second front, is believed to be a sample of the action which is to be expected. It was a brilliant operation skilfully fought to plan. Our losses were not light, but those of the enemy, particularly by air, were appreciably heavier,, while the destruction of the radio location station and other installations is a severe blow for the Germans. Viewed against the background of the terrific battles raging on the Eastern Front the Dieppe raid is undoubtedly a small affair but such attacks, frequently staged and increasing weight, must prove very embarrassing to the enemy and must undoubtedly pin down many divisions which Hitler would like to switch to Russia. PUBLIC EXCITEMENT The effect on the British public was little short of astounding. For the first time in many months men and women mobbed newsboys and crowds assembled outside clubs and city offices where there were newspapers installed. Dieppe was the sole topic of conversation in streets, in cafes and on buses. This was action and the public liked it. It was an indication that Britain’s fighting spirit has not weakened. It is fuller and awaits,only the signal for attack. Whether the signal for launching that much-discussed second front will come in 1942 is known only to a handful of leaders, but this much is clear—as a result of the Moscow conference the British, American and Russian leaders know where each nation stands individually and collectively, Britain and America know the strain to which Russia can stand up without irreparable loss and Russia knows the moment when Britain and America will be ready to strike. Thus the week can be viewed as one of very considerable achievement. A plan of action has been hammered out in Moscow, while the Dieppe raid has given freedom-loving nations an earnest of the shape of things to come in Europe.