The Waikato Times THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1939 OFFENSIVE AGAIN THREATENED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20957, 9 November 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1939 OFFENSIVE AGAIN THREATENED

Again watchful observers in Allied and neutral countries have read the signs of preparations in Germany for an offensive on the Western Front, and probably air raids on Britain. Opinion is still strong that the German Army will invade Holland, and it is also suggested that a joint German-Russian drive may be made to the Suez Canal. Against the last-named venture is Molotoff’s latest declaration that “No effort to draw Russia into the war can succeed.” He has affirmed Russian neutrality in more than usually emphatic terms, but it is still difficult to reconcile the invasion of Poland with a state of complete neutrality. The threat of most immediate concern to Britain is that air raids will be undertaken on an extensive scale.

Germany’s failure to attack with her force has been the cause of much surprise and speculation. A dozen reasons might be suggested, but apparently only Hitler and his lieutenants know why the Nazis have withheld their hand. But one thing is certain, and that is that Hitler does not now possess the unbounded confidence which he displayed in his earlier attacks upon weaker opponents. If he were confident of success it is difficult to imagine that he would have remained inactive so long. If he had hopes for the success of his counter-blockade he must by this time have been disillusioned. Another cause for satisfaction in the Allied forces is the extraordinary success of nine French aeroplanes in their attack on 27 German machines. Nine German fighters were brought down and the rest fled home, outmanoeuvred and defeated, while the French suffered no loss. Every one of the French airmen “got his man,” and this despite the fact that the French squadron consisted of comparatively old machines. It would, of course, be ridiculous to expect such superiority to be maintained against an enemy force which is known to be bold, resourceful and well equipped, but there is cause for gratification that the French airmen are capable of such a magnificent performance in even their older machines.

Britain and France face anxious days while awaiting the threatened German onslaught, but the position of Belgium and Holland is equally tragic. Though the quarrel is not directly theirs, they will consider themselves fortunate if they do not become one of the main battlegrounds of Europe. Germany may respect their neutrality as repeatedly promised, but there is, unhappily, no certainty on that score. Unless Germany has determined to violate the neutrality of Holland or Belgium, or both, the likelihood of a large-scale offensive on the Western Front will be greatly diminished, for neither the German people nor the Nazi High Command can contemplate without serious misgivings a headlong assault on the Maginot Line, which Germany’s hesitation has allowed France and Britain to strengthen and man to an extraordinary state of efficiency.