SECOND FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1942, Page 4

SECOND FRONT

DEBATE FOR & AGAINST IN BRITAIN TEST OF ENEMY NERVES. NO DISCLOSURE AHEAD OF EVENTS. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) (Received This Day. 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, April 27. The possibility of the United Nations forming a second front against Germany is one of the main topics of conversation in Britain. Lord Beaverbrook’s speech has forced it into the limelight. The inference is drawn that since Lord Beaverbrook, General Sikorski and M. Litvinov have urged a second front so pointedly, there may be some indecision in the highest circles. There are certainly two points of view in Britain. Advocates of invasion express the opinion that there can never be a better opportunity than now, when half the Luftwaffe fighter strength is diverted from the Russian front and Hitler is fully involved in Russia in his long-heralded smashing spring offensive. The key point of the argument is that the world battle depends on whether Russia holds or breaks and that for that reason everything possible should be done to help her. Many agree with Lord Beaverbrook that the United Nations should strike out even recklessly.” The opposing viewpoint, while agreeing as to the desirability of a second front, bears in mind that a second Dunkirk would not be a service to Russia or the Allied nations, and expresses the opinion that it is noi a question of guns, tanks, aeroplanes or men. but of ships. Those taking this viewpoint, while agreeing .that speed is imperative, yet hold that improvisation is inadvisable. At the same time it is argued that Britain must not overlook the fact that she is still facing invasion herself. Seme people are of opinion that a second front is inadvisable and prefer more and bigger commando raids. If the second front discussion has no ether value, it certainly is giving the Germans a taste of their own. “war of nerves” methods. The fact that FieldMarshal von Runstedt, who is regaidcd as one of the best of Germanj s generals, is putting the .Western defences in order, is an indication of the seriousness with which the Germans view the possibility of a second front. An indication that the subject is being openly discussed in Germany is an article by Hauptmann Ritter von Schramm, in the German Press. He estimated that 80,000 to 100,000 fullyequipped men would be needed to meet an Allied Continental invasion. Meanwhile the R.A.F. pounding of Germany is of the greatest possible assistance in the world battle. The value of such assistance must not bo overlooked.