ASSAULT ON BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21190, 13 August 1940, Page 4

ASSAULT ON BRITAIN

Britain is being forced to the conclusion that the German attack on the British Isles is now in operation. These repeated large-scale raids can no longer be regarded as “reconnaisances.” They are part of the invasion plan upon which Germany is staking all. It should not be imagined that the attacks have yet reached full development and that worse has not yet to come, but Britain must meet and counter every aerial and marine onslaught to keep the German “blitzkrieg” in check. There is Germany’s own word for it that the attack is being pressed home with unrelenting vigour and in the belief that Britain is being steadily pounded into submission. But whatever the real opinions of the German High Command may be, Goebbels’ Propaganda Ministry is not only unduly optimistic but is definitely misleading the German public with false reports of victories. It is so palpably “overdoing” the story that the German people ought to be rather sceptical. For instance, one Nazi-controlled newspaper alleges that the Germans are boring a tunnel under the English Channel as a fresh avenue of attack. If Germany can be in England this summer, why wait many years for the laborious driving of the tunnel ? This is apart from the fact that the scheme is ludicrous as a strategem. *ln many other ways the spirits of the German people are being buoyed up with false information while Hitler is hoping desperately that Britain will capitulate and thus save him eventually from recanting.

The most reliable information available leads to the conclusion that the British defences against aerial attacks are at least far more effective than those of Germany. Large numbers of British fighters and bombers reach their objectives in Germany with comparatively little opposition, but always when Germany sends a large force to raid Britain or shipping in the Channel a severe battle develops and the enemy suffers heavy losses. Of course Britain does not escape unscathed, but the fact remains that her factories are still producing prodigiously, her storehouses are filled, her ships still ply their trade and the Navy remains the same implacable challenge to the invader. If this is Germany’s real assault, Hitler is still very far from victory.