ACTION EXPANDING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1942, Page 3

ACTION EXPANDING

development of allied OFFENSIVES CONTRAST WITH CONDITIONS A YEAR AGO. EMPHASISED IN LONDON. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, December 21. Editorials concentrate on the number of the Allied offensives now operating, and also contrast the position now to that of a year ago, when Hitler assured his armies, “The battle for the liberty of our people is now approaching the culmination.” “The Times” in a leading article emphasises that exploits of the astonishing Russian Army again dominate the encouraging news from several fronts. Its smashing successes in the middle Don has already inflicted losses on the Germans which are tantamount to a subtantial victory, even apart from the strategic consequences that may be expected to flow from their exploitation. It is the cumulative power of the Russians’ blows which makes the recent achievement even more remarkable than the riposte from Moscow last year. Every report confirms the view that Rommel has resolved to evacuate easters Tripolitania in order to concentrate on the defence of the Tunisian fortresses. Nothing the enemy possesses in Africa compares in value with the bridgehead which completes the triangle of Sicily-Sardinia-Tunis, controlling the passage of the Sicilian narrows. The Eight Army, as it moves westward, is continually taking over fresh airfields, and its arrival within fighter range of Bizerta might well decide the issue. The Allies also have markedly secured the initative in the far East. The offensive capacity of the Japanese has dwindled since the checks to the saapower on which it is based. The Allied campaign in New Guinea seems to be in sight of a victorious conclusion, though the Japanese no doubt will fight with desperate courage. As the New Guinea campaign closes, General Wavell preparatorily marches into Burma. It is a move for which all have been waiting.