Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1942. STAKING EVERYTHING ON 1942.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1942. STAKING EVERYTHING ON 1942.

'THROUGHOUT the Allied world, and not least in countries attacked or closely threatened by Axis enemies, there will be a sympathetic response to the declaration ol: the Soviet Ambassador to Britain, Al. Maisky, that it is by throwing in 41 everything they have yot” that the Adies will best counter and defeat the supreme effort for victory undoubtedly to be made by the totalitarian States this year. Simultaneously with the report of M. Maisky’s speech, another message from London spoke of a tension of expectancy in Britain that ‘‘something will be attempted” this spring or summer and quoted Admiral Sir Roger Keyes as predicting powerful offensive blows. There is likely also to be a general acceptance of M. Maisky’s claim that the Russian front is the decisive place and that: ' “We must start from there.” Like any others of their kind, these broad generalisations of course must be read within limits. The Soviet Ambassador and those whom he represents no doubt are as fully alive as anyone to the fact that the Allies have much more to do than extend direct aid to Russia. It is to be perceived very clearly, however, that the continuation of a full-powered effort by the Soviet lighting forces is vitally important as a contribution to the defeat of the Axis and to the victory of the tree nations. It may or may not be true that the Russians have fallen short in some respects of what they hoped to achieve in their winter offensive, but it is manifest in any event that the enemy’s total effort for victory in the spring and summer will hinge decisively upon the success or failure of the renewed attempt lie will make to drive to the Caucasus and into the Middle East. The mighty struggle about to expand in Southern Russia thus has its all-important bearing on the campaigns in the Mediterranean and Middle East, the Pacific and other theatres of war. That the tremendous enemy effort to be expected in Southern Russia menaces the Allies everywhere is, however, only one part of the truth. .11 may be believed with a great deal of confidence that Germany and her satellites are likely to find themselves so heavily involved in that effort as to be weakened dangerously elsewhere —perhaps to an extent which ■will give full point to the suggestion transmitted from Russia that “if our friends cannot see how thickly the German divisions are gathered on our front, then they need only use binoculars to see how thinly the Germans stand on the Atlantic coast.” Tn responsible quarters in Brtain there has been on the whole an extreme reticence regarding I he possibilities of attack on the enemy in Western Europe. Obviously, however, precisely in the extent to which possibilities of that kind are perceived, it is wise that as little as possible should be said about them. Offensive action without warning is what is above all things to be desired. Tall talk by the Germans about the enormous strength of their fortifications along the western seaboard of Europe is in itself as far as possible from being convincing or impressive. No lesson has been taught more conclusively in this war than that fixed defences are of small value against the onslaught of a powerful and resolute enemy. Enemy talk of this kind has been punctured suggestively, if as yet only tentatively, by tlie results of bold and successful British raids on the coasts of Norway and of. France. The time may be compartively near at hand when action on a very much greater scale in "Western Europe will influence decisively the course of events in the Russian, Middle Eastern and Pacific theatres in which battle is already joined.