FOG OF WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1941, Page 6

FOG OF WAR

LITTLE DEPENDABLE NEWS AS YET IMPORTANCE OF AIR POWER. AMERICAN AND BRITISH VIEWS. (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. In the absence of independent witnesses, such as war correspondents, the only news of the Russian campaign comes from totalitarian channels, and the world is unlikely to obtain much at present except official news It is established that the German High Command tells the truth when it is being successful, but not otherwise. The impression thus far is that the Russians are not afraid to be realistic. Consequently more reliance is being placed upon their communiques, especially concerning resistance, than might have been expected. The campaign, like others in the last two years, will be enormously influenced by happenings in the air. about which there is little to go on except German claims that the Luftwaffe is exterminating everything in its path, and more moderate Russian counterclaims. The question is whether Russia will be able to keep her Air Force in the air in face of ruthless divebombing and Russia's poor transport system. It is doubtful whether Russian fighters are a match for the more modern German machines. Even with British and American aid for Russia, authorities in Washington, are preparing for the least favourable consequences. To suggest that Washington opinion is otherwise would be a serious error. It is known that President Roosevelt’s highest military advisers have convinced him that four to six weeks will either see Russia decisively defeated, and Germany in command of all her territorial objectives, or. Russia bereft of all possibilities of victory. British diplomats also are not very optimistic about the chances of Russia holding Germany. Nevertheless they do not conceal their satisfaction at the turn of events.