WITHIN A MONTH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 1, 27 September 1943, Page 5

WITHIN A MONTH

Prophesied Blows In Europe And Burma PUSH FROM BRITAIN - (Received September 26, 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 25. Simultaneous major developments in the United Nations’ offensive strategy in Europe and Asia are expected within a month, says the “New York Times” correspondent, Cyrus Sulzburger, writing from Jerusalem. He says that the Germans are rushing strategic reserves from the Russian and Mediterranean fronts and elsewhere to western Europe in order to meet a huge assault Which the Allies are preparing to launch from Britain. “The United Nations are determined to establish at. least one and possibly several strong bridgeheads as starting points for an all-out drive against the heart of Germany next spring,” he says. “Similarly, the Mediterranean drive is gradually shaping up and the Allied forces in the Middle East, including Greek, Polish, Yugoslav, British and American troops, are getting ready for action against the Balkans. “The spring is likely to bring fullscale offensives against Berlin from France, Italy, the Balkans and Russia.” Mr. Sulzburger adds that heavy reinforcements have been going to Asia for some .time, and he predicts a fullscale campaign soon in Burma, which promises to reopen the Burma road before Christmas.

A special commissioner of the Chinese Overseas Ministry, Ya Boek Hwang, forecasts that the Allied assault against Burma will open early next month, and that the Japanese will be driven out of Burma within two months.

Bid For Rabaul.

The New York “Herald-Tribune” says .that the Australians and Americans are going to attempt to capture Rabaul within six weeks, by which time the weather will be favourable for land and sea operations in the Bay of Bengal. The paper points out the obvious advantage of pressure by General MacArthur against the East Indies while Admiral Mountbatten strikes against Burma and other targets. The renewed Japanese air activities in the Solomons are evidence that the enemy is attempting to delay a joint offensive from India and Australia,” the “Tribune” says. The Japanese will probably also launch an offensive against General MacArthur’s holdings to tie him down in eastern New Guinea, and therefore our forces must expect a desperate action in the southern Pacific.