ALLIES’ DANGERS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 5

ALLIES’ DANGERS

Progress Of Battles By Land And Sea OPINION IN BRITAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 19. Russia, Egypt, shipping, and production are the subjects which are chiefly occupying the public’s attention. The news from Russia bangs like a heavy thunder cloud over the nation, its seriousness being emphasized by Mr. Lyttelton's remark: “At no time since the Battle of Britain have we stood in graver peril.” Russia has the problem of “digesting” the German mechanized hordes before Die arrival of winter.

While the territories the Germans are gaining are very important, yet Hitler’s main objective in Russia is not merely oil and wheat, but the breaking and. smashing up of Russia’s military power, after which other fruits of victory would be automatic. Authoritative quarters in London are of the opinion that Russia will hold out, if by the narrowest margin. This is tempered by the realization that the German resources show no sign of falling. Russia’s problems are increasing for in addition to that of holding out against the Huns there are also those of food and the keeping up of production. Recent reports from Russia suggest that there is a deterioration of the food position in the industrial towns.

The fertile Don area has been entered by the Nazis before the grain has ripened, with the result that the crops have probably been lost, like those of Bessarabia and Eastern Poland last year, and there is every indication that Russia will need to draw on grain accumulated in pre-war years. The German advance also means that the output of the Donetz coal basin must probably be. written off and important industrial cities like Voroshilovgrad lost Thus, together with the call for a second front, Russia is also asking the Allies for more machinery and equipment, in addition to guns, tanks and planes. The growing Russian difficulties add political colour to the problem of a second front, for while the Anglo-Rus-sian treaty of last June wiped away many barriers to goodwill between the two countries, it is felt that if nothing can be done to relieve the pressure on the Russians at this critical stage, doubts and suspicions may again spring up, causing misunderstandings which will not be helpful after the war. The Allies’ position in regard to a second front is that they would if they could, and they are undoubtedly straining .every effort. Admiralty “Bottleneck.” The general view about Egypt; is that the position is much better than could have been expected a fortnight ago, but there will be no feeling of relief till Rommel can be driven back. There is general approval that the shipping debate in the House of Commons was held iu secret, if some impatience with the succession of statements, first that it should be in public, then in private, then that a statement would- be given, and then finally that there would be no statement. It is regretted that come statement was not made. There is some restlessness regarding the shipbuilding policy, which was voiced by Mr. E. Shinwell, M.P. “I accuse the Admiralty,” he said, “of rejecting a plan to build ships by mass production which is now adopted by the American Government and is in operation in the United States.” Mr. -Shinwell holds the opinion that the shipbuilding policy is dictated by people who are concerned with what is to happen after the war, instead of adapting themselves to the present critical situation.

“If we discover fui-ther setbacks or that the creation of a second front is delayed, don’t blame the shipyard workers or the management of the shipyards,” he said, “blame the bottlenecks at the Admiralty.” Today the Battle of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean is regarded as being at its height. The remedies are the destruction of more U-boats, both in Germany and at sea, and also the production of more ships. The position dt Malta has obviously worsened since the loss of Tobruk, and there is some danger of it being starved out. The fact that Air Vice-Marshal K. R. Park, of Dunedin, is now commanding the R.A.F. in the Mediterranean is u source of pride for the Dominion. With New Zealander Air Vice-Marshal Coningham in Egypt, the Dominion is certainly fully represented in the Middle East air war. - The statements of Mr. Lyttelton and Sir Andrew Duncan on production last week have impressed the critics with Britain’s record of achievements and shown that the goal of quantity has been reached. It is impressive that Britain, a country of 47.000,000 people, has equalled this year the output of the whole of German Europe. The substance of the present criticism of British war production is the request for a combined command of the three Services, for the use of designers and engineers at every level iu production matters, and for every executive to have responsibility and power to act, and also flexibility in procedure, ensuring prompt action.

Mr. Lyttelton is regarded as the ablest and most intelligent director which British war production has yet had, and it is expected to improve under his direction.