IMMENSE CHANGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1943, Page 3

IMMENSE CHANGE

IN THE WAR OUTLOOK FINAL ASSAULT ON GERMANY NEXT YEAR. ANTICIPATED BY GENERAL SMUTS. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, October 19. Speaking in the Guildhall today the Prime Minister of South Africa, FieldMarshal Smuts, said that an immense change had come over the war scene since his visit to Britain a year ago. He had spoken then in a somewhat optimistic frame of mind, and had said that the defensive phase of the war was over and we were passing over to the offensive, which would lead to the final victory But nothing he or anybody else then had forseen such a vast change as had come over the. whole war situation. Events had only strengthened his bebelief that the war’s crisis and climaxes for the enemy would come more sharply and suddenly till the sudden and overwhelming collapse of Germany. The battles of Stalingrad and tl Alamein had marked the turning point in this war, and they would take their place with historys other decisive battles. The change was all the more wonderful compared with what the enemy had planned to achieve, and was almost in sight of achieving. In the assault on Hitler’s Europe next year the United States would take a leading part—perhaps the leading part. In view of the strain on the British resources, American manpower was rightly looked upon as the grand strategic reserve. of • the war, and the United States would play a decisive part in the concluding act of the great war drama. Hitler was no longer fighting for victory but was seeking to prolong the struggle in the. hope that war weariness or some chance development might enable him to secure a compromise peace. The policy of continuous pressure begun with the Russian offensive at Stalingrad and our own increased tempo which commenced at El Alamein should be prosecuted fill final victory was achieved some time next year. The minds of the Allied leaders were in agreement on the plans needed, the resources would be forthcoming, and the Allies were not lacking in the genius of great leadership. General Smuts spoke of the peace as being an integral part of the war. The salvage of Europe would be a tremendous undertaking. The mistakes after the last war, whereby the civilian population suffered even more than during the war, leaving bitter memories, must be avoided. They were not likely to be repeated.