Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1943. BEGINNING THE OFFENSIVE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1943. BEGINNING THE OFFENSIVE.

yyiTH the Eighth Army through and beyond the Mareth Line and Gabes, as the result of valiant and indomitable efforts which have smashed formidable enemy opposition, and other Allied forces in Tunisia either already vigorously in action or awaiting the call, a good beginning, but as General Smuts has emphasised in a warning statement to the people of South Africa, only a beginning, has been made in the task of destroying the military power of Axis gangsterdom. The latest development of the Allied attack, in which the New Zealand Division, in company with Highlanders and Indian troops under General Freyberg’s command, played an important part, has far more than balanced the temporary check suffered after the first breaching of the Mareth defences and has opened up what appear to be bright prospects of extending victory. Many vital details of the situation are of necessity hidden from view, but visible facts suggest that Rommel will have to exercise extraordinary skill and to enjoy exceptional good fortune if he is to extricate any considerable part of his army from the Allied net and to join von Arnim in Northern Tunisia. Allowance has to be made always for the possibility of further checks and setbacks, but there is every likelihood that what has already been accomplished to the end of destroying the enemy forces in North Africa will be followed up and built upon speedily.

It needs to be recognised, however, that the clearance of North Africa will be an introduction only to an undertaking of vastly greater magnitude. Much as this clearance will contribute to the improvement and safeguarding of Mediterranean communications and help to lay the European mainland open to attack, the invasion of the continent, whether in south or west, at whatever point or points the Allies may select, evidently will be no light or easy enterprise. Most of all, perhaps, in its early stages, it will, be bound to impose a tremendous strain on Allied resources.

There can be no doubt, however, as to the course to which the Allies are committed. An all-important aim evidently must be to do everything that is humanly possible to 'prevent the Germans concentrating against Russia at the end of the period of the spring thaw which for the time being has brought about a lull in operations on the Eastern front. The mutual interests of the United Nations demand that the enemy should be subjected henceforth and until the end to the full rigours of war on two or more fronts.

With matters at this stage in Europe, it is impossible for New Zealand to do anything else than concur in the Australian Government’s acceptance of the view that the Allies must be content for the time being to fight a holding campaign in the Pacific. Full support should be given also, however, to the contention of the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Dr. Evatt) that: “Within the framework of the overriding strategy there is plenty of room to ensure that these countries (Australia and New Zealand) get the wherewithal to keep the Japanese from their shores.”

What the Federal Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin) and his colleagues are now demanding is that sufficient fighting and transport aircraft and ships should be allocated to the Pacific to enable an effective holding campaign to be fought—a campaign in which the strength of Japan will be worn down progressively and she will be given no opportunity of aiding the European Axis or of building up resources which might enable her to upset the global strategy of the Allies.

No specific assurances in these vital matters have been or are likely to be macle public, but there are some encouraging indications that tjie reasonable requests of the Australian Government are likely to be met to a considerable degree.