ATTACK THE BEST DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1940, Page 6

ATTACK THE BEST DEFENCE

GREATER USE OF AIR FORCE. ADVANTAGE ON BRITAIN’S SIDE. Whenever and however the German main war effort is made we can defeat it; but are we to continue waiting for Germany to attack us? asks “Strategicus” in the "Spectator." For what, reason is the initiative left to her? Even a Solomon could hardly supply a sufficient reason. There has never been a war in which strategy was fettered so much by policy. If one could conceive of any convincing policy which would justify the cession of the initiative to the enemy the case would be entirely different. One of the oldest principles of war is. “The best defence is a resolute attack.” There is no hint of a reason for our present preference for defending vital interests on our own ground. If our airmen can take long flights over Germany to observe and lecture the enemy, they can as easily carry the war into the other camp. They are anxious to do more. Though there is not a great deal to choose between the German and British aeroplanes. it seems clear that the advantage is on our side. Some of the German machines are not so well constructed and not so easily manoeuvred as ours. But with the machines and the men, some fatal error seems to have decided on the defensive.

If we are going to risk all on the ability to win by means of the blockade alone we may have to face a long-drawn-out campaign and suffer many unhappy surprises .Our best course is to resume the initiative and attack the enemy bases, factories, and communications immediately, and on the long view this is our safest policy.