HOUR THOUGHT NEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21219, 16 September 1940, Page 7

HOUR THOUGHT NEAR

“ZERCLHOUR” INSPECTION LAST GIGANTIC ASSAULT (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 14 The Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, has made what may be a “ zerohour ” inspection of east-coast defences. This is reported by O. D. Gallagher, special correspondent cf the Daily Express, who says:— “ Authorities believe that the hour for invasion is near. Soon—perhaps in tomorrow’s dawn, perhaps the night after—Hitler may make a lasi gigantic assault on Britain. “ Mr Churchill expressed satisfaction,” the correspondent adds. “ His eyes missed nothing. He stood on the chalk cliffs of Dover and looked across the Channel toward France. “ I saw him puff his cigar thoughtfully and silently as he turned his back on the sea.” The Daily Herald quotes the Berlin correspondent of the Swiss newspaper National Zeitung as saying that Marshal Goering, who has been directing the air raids from France, has been joined by General von Brauchitsch and his staff. Another Berlin report says von Brauchitsch’s visit was to “ inspect German troops at a French Atlantic port whi<;h is serving the German Army as a base against Britain.” Next Phase of War Mr Churchill’s broadcast on Wed-' nesday, in which he showed how seriously he regards the chances of an early attempt at invasion, and with what measured confidence he feels the nation may face the prospect, has given direction to public discussion on the next phase of the war. Those who for some time have been expecting that events must soon move toward some kind of climax, find corroboration in Mr Churchill’s rallying call. Early Decision Needed Those who argued that a pause was inevitable after the obvious failure of Germany to obtain air mastery over Britain, are more ready than formerly to concede that they may not have given sufficient weight to Hitler’s desperate need for an early decision. Germany’s new tactics shown in the wanton bombing of London, achieve results of such minor importance from the point of view of directly damaging British military strength, that they can only be explained on the assumption that Hitler is hazarding all on a chance of creating demoralisation in the rear while he tries to circumvent Britain’s defences at the coasts. Admission of Weakness The most competent authorities, therefore, present the air war on London’s churches, houses, offices and schools, on its men, women and children, as an admission of weakness. In this connection the almost unanimous verdict of observers in the United States is that this form of attack represents one of those major and disastrous miscalculations to which the German exponents of power politics always seem liable. Writers in the press, and those in political and diplomatic circles, have not failed to note the considerable concentration in recent days of the bombing raids against the enemy invasion bases and communications, made with the moon approaching the full and with high tides about dawn The significance of these heavy attacks is felt to be considerable, but while they are regarded as evidence of the alertness of Britain against invasion, they are also seen as reducing its likelihood. Failure of Nazi Effort Comment in the technical and military press of Russia and in the United States gives ground for the deduction that reports received from neutral experts in London have left no doubt as to the failure of the German effort to disable the Fighter Command —itself, as all commentators agree, an almost essential preliminary to invasion with any chance of sue 'Css. Now that the Bomber and Coastal Commands have made a further contribution to the frustration of the German High Command’s plans, it may be hazarded that the German chances of successfully invading Britain are estimated in well-in formed military circles abroad as very low.

Some commentators seem to suspect that the estimate of Germany’s chances may not be very high even in Rome, and that this may account for delay in launching a diversion in the Middle East.