THE SECOND FRONT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 89, 25 January 1943, Page 3

THE SECOND FRONT

PLANS AGAIN DISCUSSED.

SUSTAINED ATTACKS BY AIR. STATEMENTS IN LONDON PRESS. (N. Z. Press Association— Copyright). (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. -4. Plans for a second front are again

being discussed by Britain and the United States, says the diplomatic, correspondent of the “Daily Express. President Roosevelt made it clear that -attacks against the Axis may be made at many points simultaneously. Heavy sustained air attacks on the European mainland are part of the Allies offensive plan. The correspondent says it is considered certain that to some extent the Germans are "withdrawing voluntarily from parts of Russia to take advantage of shorter supply lines. The Germans may attempt to go over to static defence and content themselves with holding the Russian army while freeing forces for the defence of Germany from direct attacks from the west and south. The reluctance of the German Air Force to make large-scale attacks on Britain is seen as due to anxiety to conserve planes and trained men for use against a direct assault rather than to an actual shortage of planes. Hitler is. on the defensive in the air and on land. He dare not gamble his air strength in ordinary air raids.

Mr John Garvin, writing in the “Sunday Express,” says: “1943 holds immense opportunities for the Allies. Wo dare not depend more upon glorious Russia than ourselves. Russia alone cannot win. Stalin himself would be the first to emphasise this warning. The whole vast Russian offensive was inspired and organised. That is perhaps the chief secret of its success. No mightier human agency is known than organisation and inspiration together.” Reports reecived from New Yofk state that the Allied leaders: and Governments have reached agreements for an Easter operation of strategy and a better political understanding. Plans are being made in Britain for the Home Guard to be the country’s first line of defence when the great offensive against the Axis takes place.