DRIVE BY ROMMEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1942, Page 4

DRIVE BY ROMMEL

MAY FOLLOW AXIS FAILURE

IN RUSSIA

NEED OF GOING FORWARD OR BACK.

AMERICAN COMMENTATOR'S VIEW.

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 15. , “A drive by Rommel may follow the Germans’ setback at Stalingrad,” says Major Eliot, writing in the ‘Herald-Tribune.” “It seems highly probable that Rommel is again in difficulties because of his precarious supply situation. He cannot remain indefinitely where he is, his line of communications is too long and too difficult. He must either get cn with an offensive or fall back to more easily defended positions.” Major Eliot believes that the fact that the Germans appear to have failed in Russia and may be compelled to retire to defensive positions, admitting that they cannot take Stalingrad, will urge their political leaders to seek face-saving success elsewhere. The rising scale of the United Nations’ air superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean must be regarded in Berlin as extremely ominous. Very soon it may be impossible to reinforce and supply Rommel at all; hence, if a German attack is coming it is probably now or never. It may be added that the season of good compaigning weather in Africa is just beginning. The Paris radio quoted a Berlin report that Rommel had returned to Egypt and resumed command. The Rome radio reports that General Allesandro Predion, commander of the Brescia Division, was killed on the Egyptian front on Tuesday, while carrying out his duties.