Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY. JANUARY 31, 1941. A GAMBLE ENFORCED.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY. JANUARY 31, 1941. A GAMBLE ENFORCED.

IT is being stated in Washington that the most critical period for Britain can he expected in n few weeks, “when Germany will attempt an all-out blow in a desperate effort to finish the war." At the same time, authoritative circles in London, while paying due regard to the importance of the victories that have been and are being won in Africa and Albania, are emphasising once again that “Britain is the object ol the main German thrust, and the invasion of the British Isles is the greatest danger.” An observation on this subject made a lew weeks ago by an American correspondent in England perhaps holds in existing circumstances even greater point and force than at the time when it was made. The observation was: —

British defence commanders, both along the coast and inland, hold the seemingly paradoxical view that although the invasion of Britain never has been a more difficult operation than now, it has never been a mere justifiable hazard from a Nazi military viewpoint. This opinion is based on the fact that the long-range war developments are seen as taking a trend which might compel the Germans to try to avert the consequences of them by making what is regarded as a desperate gamble now.

Looking nt the whole of the known and probable facts thoti is really nothing paradoxical in the anticipation of an earl} attempt bv the .Nazis to invade Britain in spue ol the known expansion of Britain’s defensive and offensive strength. It may sum the mailer up from the Nazi standpoint that there is such a thing as making the best of a bad job. and that it may be better to face the most desperate risks forthwith than to await passivelv a period in which these risks will lie magnified enormonslv.

Some stories are current in the I’nited Stales and elsewhere of the preparation in Germany ol tremendously lormidable air and other armaments in furtherance of her prospective attempt at invasion. I’nwise as it might be to minimise this or that detail of the enemy preparations or the total strength <>l the forces being assembled, it is reasonably certain that Germany is relatively less formidable than she was six or eight months ago. No reason appears for departing from an opinion that Germany had a better chance ol invading England on the morrow id* the evacuation from Dunkirk than she will ever have again.

Having prepared for the war for years before it began, Nazi German} - long ago attained her peak ol war production. It is hardly in doubt that in spile of the rin’iny conquests on the mainland rd’ Europe, German peak production has been lowered, in sonic vital particulars, by the efl'ccis ol the British blockade and British bombing. At the same time, as the American Secretary for War (.Mr. Stimson) has pointed out. “the German Armv is spread out very thinly." m subjugated and occupied territories and elsewhere, and present and prospective demands nn the total Nazi fighting forces have been iiierea'-ed greatly by the shattering blows which have been and are being struck at 1 tal.v. .Meantime Britain, alike in war industry and in direct military orgatiisal ion and preparation has built up her strength enormously. She is doing this not only by her own magnitiectit efforts, but v.dh the active help of her Lnipii’e partners and allies and with material tissislancr from the I iiitcd Suites which ,‘dreadv is far frmn negligible and gives e\erv promisi* <>l attaining in the comparatively m-ar future vastly greater magnitude. In all tins there is nothing Io weaken or discredit the anticipation that tin- Nazis may very shortly strike with all the power and ferocity of which they are capable in an effort to finish ami win the war. <bi the m'litrary, the present and prospective expansion <n' British fighting strength provides the best reason for believing that Hiller and his gangster comrades will lake the earliest opportunity of slaking c\eryt liitig on a desperate bid for victory, (hi th. ‘hets m sight they are impelled irresistibly to that con.rsi because no altcrnat iv** is open to them in which they t-an repose any hop'- whal»*ver. Hilb-r in a New Year message < (! fin fighting men, said “The year Ihll will bring I'mnplcimi! «»f the greatest victory hi our history." Although nothin*' in the world is worth [ess than the word of the I* ilehrer, adequate r> , nst>iis appear ’ey Pei -in<» that in this instance Hitler will do his utmost to c.irrv ■ s promise into effect He unis' cither make .. maxim..m effort '< r victory in the immediate future or allow it to p am o, the luitioii which thus far has yielded him slavish ulicdleurc that its i|efe;it is a i»;itl<-r <mlv <>! time Hitler,, in a ward, may Be expected to l.'llllH'll some desperate etfort end at ■! " if- ibe war because he dare colltemphife Uo oilier eimr.sc. When the shadow of impending defeat is onrr perceivts! by the | <■■•;/ his own nation arid others whom he has enslaved nmi /■•••,• . the davs o’ his evil power will be numbered. If it lie agreed, as apparently d must fie, that soim- Inu tor carlv yietorv is forced lljmii Hit!*'!'. an wp’ Britain, in spite of the tremendous <<d«is again-’ its ■. -..x, m ojc <• becomes highly probable. Ih> Nazis <. vc stole rm |U*i‘'pevt of g'ainmg by tin- most niispmririg' totoi!- such m the Balkans or elsewhere m the .MrdHerranr.nl a- rmdd enable th<-m to reverse the broad and commnndiiig trend of the war. Their apparent alternatives are to admit the inevitability of nhimiite deft 4 ,at or to risk everything man aHcmpt to smash Britain before she smashes them.