SOVIET MIGHT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 400, 6 April 1937, Page 5

SOVIET MIGHT

HITLER CONVINCED INFLUENCE OF ARMY. Rapprochement with Russia Urged. Press Association —Copyright. London, April 4. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Herr Hitler’s military chiefs save convinced lim of the Soviet's formidable military strength, in which he was influenced by staff reports relative to the efficiency of German, Russian, French ind Italian equipment which has been ‘tested” in Spain. It indicated that German equipment, with the possible exception of antiaircraft defence, was less good than expected. Her Hitler’s reconciliation with General Ludendorff was partly attributable 'to the Chancellor, under the irmy's influence, realising the necessity of reaching a good understanding with the Russian army. General Lulendorff has continually urged that Germany should not attach exaggerated importance to Italy’s arms in a European war, but on the contrary should seek a rapprochement with Russia. Germany is shortly sending to Nanking a military and economic mission, riming at better relations with China ind Japan. A message from Munich, Bavaria, states that an early result of Hitler’s reconciliation with Ludendorff is the Government’s recognition of Ludeniorff’s cult of paganism, which is now among the religious societies protected under the Nazi programme.

IF RUSSIA GOES TO WAR?

Tactics of Army Chiefs. Red Army chiefs are counting on two main factor for victory should Russia go to war, says the London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald. These are: Constant attack and an eventual rapid break-through, led by tanks and cavalry; and revolutionary risings in the enemy’s rear, combined with landing of troops by parachutes behind the lines. This is revealed in the new “provisional field regulations” issued for use by the Red Army officers. These show the extent to which the general staff is now enamoured of what prewar French generals used to call the “mystical doctrine of the offensive.” The regulations also show how thoroughly the army has been taught to expect revolutions among the enemy civilian populations. These risings will, in the view of the Red general staff, synchronise well with giant bombing attacks and mass descents of parachutists and dynamiters. Thus, it is believed, according to the Moscow correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, that dismay and confusion will be followed by rioting and sabotage in the enemy’s territory. Socialist Fatherland. “The Re’d Army,” the official field regulations claim, “carries on its banners the holy defence of the Socialist Fatherland, the freedom of downtrodden humanity from slavery and misery, and liberty for the toilers of the whole world. To win over to the side of the proletarian revolution the working class and peasant masses of the enemy’s army and the civilian population of the enemy’s war zone is the main necessity for our victory. “The basis of the education and subsequent action of every officer and every soldier of the fled Army must be constantly to attempt to force the enemy into a decisive battle. Without any special orders, the enemy must be bravely and violently attacked wherever found.” The field regulations further describe ?n great detail the combined operations of all arms in the field for g mass “break-thi ough” by the Red Army forces —tanks co-operating with cavalry, long-range tanks acting independently, and other tanks leading the infantry. Combined with these operations would be the landing by parachute behind the enemy’s lines of light motorised brigades and machinegunners. Once, however the enemy’s attempt to rally his demoralised forces and retire in good order has been smashed by long-range tanks and the retreat cut off by parachute landings, then, the regulations slate, “the Red Army will be generous to enemy prisoners, and do everything possible to save their lives.”