FRANCE'S MISTAKES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 151, 27 June 1940, Page 7

FRANCE'S MISTAKES.

Faith In Maginot Line And Gamelin's Errors."

LEADERS PLAYED AT POLITICS

r LONDOJT, June 24. The military correspondent in France oE the "Xew York Times," Mr. C. H. Arehanibault, in a dispatch from Bordeaux, states: "The attack against the West Wall last September was stopped because of lack of materials. This resulted, inevitably, in Germany assuming the initiatire, which heavily weighed against all subsequent French actions. "Then followed eight months, during which France should have multiplied production, but did not, partly because her boundless faith in the Mflgmot Line induced equanimity. France and Britain played politics while the enemy was at the gate. "Certainly the British Navy and Air Force did great work, but the brunt of the land lighting fell completely to the inferior French army, "Another factor was that the Governments claimed the prerogative in conducting the war, thereby limiting the High Commands to directing operations. Thus the Governments, for purety political reasons, decided to assist the Low Countries. 'fThcn General Gamelin blundered. He ordered the whole line to advance, which was precisely what Hitler hoped. '"Hitler hurled his mechanised forces at the weakest spot—the Luxemburg hinge—where General Gamelin had placed his weakest army. The loss of Sedan sealed France's fate. "General Weygimd, who had been villified for years by certain politician!-, was called back, as a miracle man, but from the day of his appointment lie sensed that the battle was lost."