The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1942. Many Roads to Berlin

Southland Times, Issue 24886, 28 October 1942, Page 4

The Southland Times WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1942. Many Roads to Berlin

THE second front controversy has reached a stage where amateur strategists (which means almost everybody nowadays) can pick their way through a wide range of possibilities. There are some who, remembering the hard facts of the shipping situation, believe that the Allies must attack by the shortest and hardest route —directly across the English Channel. Others, influenced by a desire to see the blow fall as close as possible to the Russian front, insist that Norway is the logical starting point. The invasion of Italy has many supporters, including- military experts who have published their opinions. There are votes in favour of the African theatre. And now, from “informed quarters” in Istanbul, comes a suggestion that the second front may be opened next spring in the Balkans. In a cable message printed yesterday it was pointed out that the Balkans, “where armed revolt is still continuing in Yugoslavia and even in Greece, constitute the weakest point of the Axis in Europe.” This is probably true. But it should be noted that a new front on the European side of the Mediterranean can become a probability only “if the United Nations are able to smash Field-Marshal Rommel.” That is the “if” which overshadows all discussions of future operations in the Mediterranean zone. And once it is frankly confronted it becomes necessary to admit that the second front is already in existence. The battle for Egypt may yet become the battle for North Africa. An offensive against Italy or the Balkans would be an extension of the campaign that is being fought in the desert theatre. No action could be taken in the south of Europe until the Allies obtained a complete mastery of the Mediterranean, and to achieve that advantage the Germans must be expelled from their air bases in Libya, Sicily and Southern Italy. It is possible that if the Egyptian crucible swallows more planes, tanks and men than the Germans can afford to lose the movement towards other objectives would become easier and faster. But in the meantime it is unwise to look too far ahead. The Balkans are a long way from the heart of the Axis. It is in Germany that the death blow must be given. The Royal Air Force continues to hammer at the enemy’s central positions, and at the same time the war in Russia is slowly weakening the German army. To these methods of attrition must now be added the new battle for Egypt. The Bth Army has to face hard fighting, and the memory of Rommel’s Libyan victory is too near to permit an unqualified optimism. But if all goes well the Germans should be on the defensive when spring comes again to Europe. It may then become clear that the second front has already served its purpose, and that new offensives will merely complete the work that is now being done in Russia, in Egypt, and wherever the enemy can be brought to battle.