MOOD OF ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 March 1943, Page 2

MOOD OF ATTACK

SPIRIT OF THE BRITISH PEOPLE CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR. EXPECTATION OF OFFENSIVE ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, March 24. The battle of Tunisia is the main topic of conversation in Britain, and its progress is being studied confidently and in detail, while it is recognised that much depends on its successful conclusion. Once the Axis is driven out of Africa the Allies will, to use a Churchillian phrase, be able to get on with the job, which will be to provide direct military assistance tp Russia. The year is marching on—already spring has officially begun by the calender, but actually it began climatically almost a full month ahead of shedule. Britain in common with Europe, experienced a most unusually mild and dry winter—so dry that rain is now required to help on the spring crops. Spring finds the country in a different mood from a year ago. Then it was realised that the coming summer might see the peak of the Axis ambitions, but Germany and Japan were prevented from shaking hands in the Indian Ocean by a fairly narrow margin. This year any apprehension that the United Nations might be able to last out has evaporated, and the mood is to invade. And this year the boot is rather on the other foot for Germany. What will be her position when the winter returns is the question this year, instead of what the Allied position would be. The answer, it is felt, lies in how Germany handles her manpower and production problems. It has been observed'that Germany has a stark choice between maintaining output and replenishing the depleted ranks of the Wehrmacht, and on her success or failure depends the duration of the war in Europe. There are indications that the Russian front may become static temporarily. Meanwhile, in Britain there has been held an offensive exercise which was not only the biggest ever staged, but also the earliest ever held, indicating that the Allied plans are well on the march. In Britain, where the industrial output per head is the highest in the world, civilian life tends to become somewhat drabber. Youths of 17 are now registering, and childless wives, except those whose husbands are employed directly on war work, are now expected to do full-time work instead of part-time. Clothing is becoming more of a problem as the stocks are being used up, and the ration period is extended for another month. The war is certainly providing lessons in thrift not only of money, food and clothes, but also of paper, household scraps, water and fuel. The housing problem is growing, and one of the most difficult things to find is an unfurnished house. Rents have generally risen. • But in spite of all these by-products of war the public’s mood is buoyant, and the question which is most discussed next to the war situation is the postwar conditions, with a consequent growth in political and domestic differences, and that is a sign of health.