VITAL QUESTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1941, Page 5

VITAL QUESTION

DISPOSITION OF THE SOVIET FORCES CAPTAIN LIDDELL HART’S VIEW. NEED OF WESTERN DIVERSION. LONDON, July 2. The “Daily Mail’s" military correspondent, Captain Liddell Hart, says: “The crux of the Russo-Ger-man war seems to be whether the Russians have used up a big proportion of their quality forces in the opening phases. If so, we may now see an acceleration of the

German advance, due to diminishing resistance. “Remembering the weight and progress of the mechanised forces concentrated against Russia, it is reasonable to conclude that the progress made in the 10 days has fallen short of Hitler’s expectations. This possibility promises a favourable change in the prospects if the Russians have kept intact a good proportion of their mechanised forces. “It is vital that we should do our utmost at this crucial time to. take the strain from the Russians by distracting the Luftwaffe, and even the German land forces. Now is the time for using our special forces, trained for amphibian raids along the enemy s coasts.” ITALIAN DIVISION 'INSPECTED BY MUSSOLINI. (Received This pay, 9.35 a.m.) ROME, July 3. Mussolini inspected the army division which is joining the Germans against Russia and said it was an honour to fight against Bolshevism.