AIR OF EXPECTANCY RISING IN LONDON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 3

AIR OF EXPECTANCY RISING IN LONDON

ALLIED STRATEGY Churchill Brings Vital Military Decisions N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 8. Mr. Churchill's return to London has heightened the air of expectancy which has been steadily mounting up in recent, weeks. He brought with him military decisions which are so important that they were not sent back to London in advance, even in While there will be general interest in the statement which Mr. Churchill will make in the House of Commons—which may refer to interviews with important people who have thus far not been mentioned in official communiques—there is the realisation that behind the curtain of the latest flying visits are decisions which may lead to the end of the war and that only time will reveal them. Confidence in Present Position There a feeling of confidence in the present position of the war— despite the U-boat menace—and the Daily Telegraph goes so far as to express the opinion that by every criterion the coming spring and summer will see the Germans hard put to it to hold anywhere on the Eastern Front, adding that any offensive at any time in any place by the Western Allies will therefore be a co-ordinated offensive. General comment on the war position apart from admiration for the Russians, is centred recently on conditions in Germany, on the Italian Cabinet changes, and on General Giraud's new administration. Apart from the sceptical reception given the American suggestion that Hitler is dead, considerable interest is taken in German reactions to their defeats in Russia. The Economist makes this striking claim: "It can be said almost with certainty that the losses which the German Army suffered in the summer of 1942 and during this winter's battles cannot be replaced. Germany's industrial and military power is on the decline and no political or economic decree can restore the Wehrmacht to the strength necessary for defence against continued offensives." The Economist is a most responsible and well-informed weekly journal, and its views can be relied upon. "Hitler Dead" Rumour As regards Hitler's "death," one of the most interesting points concerning him is the almost monotonous repetition with which all German leaders and propagandists emphasise that Hitler takes sole responsibility for all decisions, the point being that he might thus be easier to replace if and when it is considered necessary either by other Nazis or by the German High Command. Concerning the changes m the Italian Cabinet, there is a spate of conjecture. It can be read against the background of popular discontent and resentment against the catastrophic course of the war—the number of Italy's killed, missing and wounded alone is estimated at 500,000. . .. ... General Giraud's changes in North Africa are welcomed as the first step to the clearing up of the unsavoury position which has arisen. Further changes are expected. The revised regime is now cut off from. Vichy and between the next moves it is hoped that General de Gaulle and General Giraud will settle their differences.