Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1943. ANTICIPATIONS IN EUROPE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1943. ANTICIPATIONS IN EUROPE.

■REPORTING on Sunday that it is believed in some quarters V in Moscow that Allied plans have reached a stage “where zero hour for an open rising against the Hitler forces inside Europe is very close,” Reuter’s correspondent in the Russian capital added: “This is indicated by the prominence given in Moscow to appeals to patriots inside occupied Europe.” Available information goes to show that when the moment for action comes —when the Allies take extended military ac ion on the Continent of Europe—there will be little need of appeals to induce patriots in the occupied countries to rise against then Nazi oppressors. Apart from the open warfare that is being carried on, with a considerable measure of success, by Yugoslav and Greek guerillas, there are dependable reports of the organisation of widespread and formidable underground movements of resistance, and of many determined acts of sabotage, in Norway, Denmark, the Low Countries, France, Poland and 4 Czechoslovakia. Account has to be taken also of the Axis satellite countries, of which President Roosevelt said, in a message to Congress on September 17: — We have reliable information that there is definite unrest and a growing desire for peace among _ the people of these satellite countries—Rumania, Hungary, Finland and. Bulgaria. e iop that in these nations the spirit of revolt against Nazi dominanc . which commenced in Italy will burst into flame and become a consuming fire. It is hardly in doubt that a day of reckoning and of bitter retribution is in store for the Nazis in the occupied countries they have so brutally maltreated and despoiled, and probably also in the countries ranking ostensibly as their allies. Nothing would be gained' however, and needless loss of life and suffering/would be occasioned, by premature and ill-supported action m the occupied countries of Europe. The campaign of sabotage no doubt will extend and expand throughout the continent, but the time for open revolt will come when the Western Allies aie attacking Germany in such strength on the European mainland that she will no longer have at disposal the forces needed to keep the occupied countries in subjection or to maintain control over her satellites. It is wholly undesirable that there should be any suggestion of general revolt in Europe until the Allies have taken action on this scale. The signal for action will be given by military events. As to the time at which the Western Allies will strike in full strength, the greatest possible secrecy naturally will be maintained until the last moment. No secret is made of the fact that preparations on.the greatest scale are in full progress and the effect for the time being is to keep the enemy in a state of uncertainty and dread all the greater since he is ignorant of the manner in which the Allied offensive plans will work out. One of a number of interesting suggestions on this subject was made not long ago by the “New A ork Times war coriespondent, Mr C. Sulzberger. The United Nations, he said are determined to establish at least one, and possibly several strong bridgeheads in western Europe before the winter, to be used as starting points for an all-out drive against the heart of Germany next spring. Similarly, the Mediterranean drive is gradually taking shape, with Allied forces, including Greek, Yugoslav and Polish units, as well as Anglo-American troops, getting ready for action aginst the Balkans. Spring is likely to bring full-scale ■ offensives against Germany from France, Italy, the Balkans and Russia. While there is much to support Mr Sulzberger’s prediction of concerted offensive action against Germany in the northern spring, it has yet to appear whether there are grounds for his anticipation of very early action to establish bridgeheads in Europe. It is definitely to the good, however, that the Germans, as may be seen from recent and current news, are apprehensive of new attacks at a very early date and therefore are under the necessity of making whatever immediate provision they can to cope with them. ,