The Southland Times FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1942. Germany Passes to Defence

Southland Times, 16 October 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1942. Germany Passes to Defence

A GERMAN military spokesman was reported yesterday to have interpreted the recent speeches of Hitler and Goering as the acceptance of a new formula —“from the offensive to the defensive.” While the German public was studying the implications of this statement the Prime Minister of South Africa, General Smuts, was speaking in a different vein. “We have now reached the stage,” he said, “where the defensive can be replaced by the offensive and the war can be prevented from dragging on endlessly.” Similar opinions have been expressed by Mi’ Churchill and President Roosevelt. There is no disposition in Allied circles to suggest that victory must now come like an inevitable physical process. On the contrary, the leaders of the United Nations continue to warn their peoples of the stern fighting that has to be done when the preparations are complete. But it is a fact of great and hopeful significance that while the Germans are speaking of defence the British and Americans are speaking of attack. For three years the Germans have followed m aggressive policy. They have obtaine 1 notable victories and large territorial gains. But no one believes that Hitler ever intended to set a limit to the time-table of conquest. He attacked Russia with the expectation of an early decision, planning to make his eastern frontiers secure while he turned against Britain for the final reckoning. It was no part of his intention to enter upon a long and exhausting struggle which would detain his armies in Russia while Britain was being transformed into an advance base for the United Nations. Yet that is what has happened. Although official comment on Stalingrad has been noticeably cautious it is easy to detect a growing optimism. The city may still be taken. But the Russians have defended their southern stronghold with amazing tenacity and resourcefulness. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Stalingrad will symbolize the turning point of the European conflict. The question now is whether the Germans will be permitted to bring about a stalemate. If they cannot obtain the absolute conquest of Russia by the destruction of her armies they will make determined efforts to hold what they have already won, and then —in Hitler’s own words —“wait and see who is exhausted first.” Signal to Attack

In passing to the defensive the German leaders are visualizing a period of consolidation which it is in their own interests to prolong as long as possible, hoping that the spread of war weariness will subtly reinforce a propaganda designed to foster the mood for a compromise peace. British spokesmen, however, see in the changing policy an opportunity to shorten the war. They believe that Germany will be unable to organize the occupied countries for a long resistance because the policy of “collaboration” has been a resounding failure. The conquered peoples are restive and vengeful: they will become still more difficult to control when they realize that the war is going against Germany. It is true that occupied Europe contains economic resources large enough to support the Axis through a long period of defensive warfare. But these resources have to be mobilized. It is as unrealistic to estimate Germany’s strength in the terms of potential resources as it was in the past to find the promise of an Allied victory in the possession of vast quantities of raw materials. Actual striking power is the decisive factor. Wars cannot be won by ores in the mines, or by unsown acres. Weapons in the hands of the soldiers, and food in the storehouses are the instruments of victory. Germany has great economic reserves. But they are spread across Europe, and to draw upon them successfully the Germans must have the cooperation of peoples that are sullen after the years of suffering and persecution. The man-power problem is difficult everywhere: in Germany, drained of her youth on distant battlefields, it has become dangerously acute. To overcome the labour shortage the Nazis are compelled to exert a harsher pressure on France and the other occupied States, thereby fanning the slow flame of revolt. “Our main task now,” said Hitler, “is to organize the vast occupied regions for the purpose of warfare, also for feeding our people.” The task would be comparatively easy if Hitler could turn to it without fear of external commotions. German efficiency and German ruthlessness would quickly bring the Continent to a state of organized subjection. But the work has to be done in the very crisis of the war. The armies of Russia, triumphant in defence, will not remain quietly beyond the limits of German occupation. While they fight back on the long eastern front the armies of Britain and America are preparing to attack in the west. In the meantime the bombers of the United Nations are carrying out an offensive which must grow steadily in power. There can be no complete lull, no interval for an undisturbed transition to defensive warfare. The air offensive is weakening the transport systems which are needed for the economic reorganization of Europe. It is opening a pathway for the forces of invasion, and it is constantly and loudly reminding the German people of what is to come when the bomber fleets are at full strength. Germany’s change-over from attack to defence brings to the Allies their great opportunity. Now is the time, as General Smuts phrased it, to “follow the right strategy with the utmost energy.”

RETURNING FROM JAPAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 15. The High Commissioner, the Hon. W. J. Jordan, has advised that the following New Zealanders who were resident in Japan or Japanese occupied territory had arrived at Lorenco Marques and were expected to embark from South Africa shortly. Mr D. G. Broughton, Mr C. G. Davis, Mrs E. M. Davis, Miss J. S. Davis, Mr H. W. S. Meiisop. Mr R. W. Sturt, Mrs H. Sturt and Master M. Sturt.

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