ENEMY STRENGTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1943, Page 3

ENEMY STRENGTH

EMPHASISED BY AMERICAN GENERAL IN REPORT TO CONGRESS. GERMAN AND JAPANESE FORCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 12. The Chief of the United States Military Intelligence, Major - General George Strong, has authorised the partial publication of his recent report to the secret session of Congress, in which he warned against over-optim-ism. General Strong disclosed that Germany has 300 well-trained divisions and that moreover she has raised and re-equipped more than 60 new divisions in 1943, each having 600 machineguns and 300 heavier weapons. Germany has also raised and equipped 20 armoured and motorised divisions, replacing those lost at Stalingrad. The number of workers employed in war industries in Nazi-dominated territory has risen from 23,000,000 at the outbreak of the war to 35,000,000. The Luftwaffe is now larger than in 1939. 1 But for the Russians' enormous efforts, the odds of war would be four to one against the Allies. 1 The war against Japan has only begun. We have yet to reach any main line of Japanese resistance or any point which they are determined to hold at all costs. The Japanese still possess 2,000,000 men of military age who have not yet been called to the colours, in addition to nearly 2,000,000 from 17 to 20 who are not yet subject to the draft. The morale of the armed forces and the civilian population is excellent and the geographic factor is giving them tremendous strength. The Japanese are in a strong position and their power is increasing in many respects. The longer we leave them in virtual control in East Asia, the more difficult will be the eventual struggle.