“SOMETHING BIC”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1942, Page 4

“SOMETHING BIC”

EXPECTED TO HAPPEN NEED OF HELPING RUSSIA SECOND FRONT DISCUSSION IN BRITAIN. VAST NAZI CONCENTRATION IN EAST. (Special Australian Correspondent.) LONDON, July 13. As the situation is again focusing on the development, of the much-debated second front, it is known that the Russian public is apparently waiting with, suspense l some action which will lessen the pressure. .That suspense is equally noticeable here, accompanied by a feeling that “something big” is going to happen—but where and when? The Germans in their relentless drive against the Don Valley are believed to have reduced even the total of tanks and aircraft for ’FieldMarshal Rommel, while refusing all of Dr. .Goebbels’s entreaties for a big bomber reprisal force to operate against Britain. They are flinging in against the Russians 10 times Rommel’s forces engaged in'Egypt. The second front advocates declare that now is the time for every effort to cause a diversion. The Russians now have less room to manoeuvre, for which reason the country’s vitals are being uncovered. They cannot retreat very far in any sector without tending to uncover either Leningrad, Moscow or the Caucasus. It seems that once again the Germans succeeded in introducing an element of surprise into the attack, namely the sheer mass of their armour closely supported by Stukas and fighter fleets. Reports indicate that the Luftwaffe was completely overhauled and reorganised throughout the winter, resulting in greatlyincreased power and ability to mass aircraft in any given sector. It is estimated that their force numbers between 12,000 and 14,000 aircraft, with 6'ooo front-line machines. All the planes are equipped with blind-flying apparatus and can operate on radio instruction from army group headquarters and also on rocket signals, thus achieving maximum speed and manoeuvrability. They are operating mainly the Messerschmitt 109 s, Junkers 88s and 525, Focke-Wulf 100 s, and Dornier 2175. The Russians have been unable to check the steady surge in the tide of mechanised masses, but they do not intend to allow an encirclement. While the Russians can elude the traps there is always the possibility that the Germans may meet with a bloody repulse similar to that which upset the German hopes at Smolensk and Moscow last year. The “Evening Standard” has expressed the opinion that the Germans are forcing a war of movement, and that the conditions are favourable to themselves. “Any calculation of world strategy based on a stabilisation of the' Russian front is now painfully sundered,” it says. The German success may be a signal for the Japanese to strike against Russia in the Far East, where the preparations already appear to be complete.