COMING TASKS IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 227, 22 June 1944, Page 4

COMING TASKS IN FRANCE

How Battle Plans May

Unfold DECISION IN WEST

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received June 21, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 21.

The future trend of the fighting in France now that the initial landings have been successfully accomplished is a matter of much comment and theorizing. The journal “Economist” says that the real question at present is whether Field Marshal Rundstedt is capable of a concentration of forces that would give him local superiority before General Eisenhower has completed the building up of his striking force inside' the bridgehead. The enemy's mobility in shifting his reserves tas been decisively reduced. He might offset the slowness of his concentration by its mass, but this he can only do at the risk of engaging in the battle of Normandy forces that sound strategy would advise him to keep in readiness against new Allied landings on other sectors of the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast.

"If Rundstedt now saves his forces for a future battle then the result is that he has allowed his reserves to be paralysed by the mere threat of new landings, so giving General Eisenhower enough time to extend and consolidate his bridgehead into a solid jumping-off ground for a major offensive,” it says. “If, however, he disregards rules of prudence and engages a high proportion of his reserves in the fighting now, he facilitates General Eisenhower’s tasks of making new landings elsewhere. Typical Dilemma.

“The dilemma is not only Rundstedt’s; it is Hitler’s also. It confronts the German High Command not only along the Atlantic Wall, but all over the Contin-. ent. Everywhere the thunder hangs over Hitler’s head. Nowhere does he know when and where the bolts will fall.” “Liberator,” writing in the “Observer,” says that Rundstedt is fighting three battles now, and in none of them has he any freedom of action. In this situation he may decide to draw heavily on troops on other fronts in the west for reinforcements and make an all-out effort to throw the Allies’ Normandy army back into the sea. The Germans may argue that in that case the Allies will reinforce their bridgehead and try to hold it rather than start another attack, but the Germans may be wrong. The Allies may not react in this way. Instead, they may land on a coast bared of troops elsewhere on the Continent. In that case Rundstedt in turn would have to call off his plan and probably regroup his entire force in western Europe. A special correspondent of the “Sunday Express” says it is important to realize that the real campaign in France has not yet been opened—only a heavy battle to decide whether there is going to be a campaign at all. Assuming that we win this preliminary battle, it must still be weeks before, the plan drawn up by the Supreme Command begins to unfold. Steps Toward Decision. The correspondent outlines, what may be five steps toward a decision in the west. They are: First, and secondly, the battle for the bridgehead. Thirdly, the gaining of a deep foothold containing ports and airfields, and giving the forces room for manoeuvre, regrouping, ana passing supplies. It may take a month or more to capture and consolidate the necessary ground. Fourthly, a battle for the Allied base in France. The possible area is the great quadrilateral enclosed by the Rivers Seine and Loire. It cannot be taken easily, but Rundstedt may be prevented from using all his strength at this stage. General Alexander may by then be in the north of Italy, constituting a threat to southern France, and there is also the continuous threat of other landings, tying down divisions that might be thrown m the present and coming battles. Fifthly, assuming that this quadrilateral is in Allied hands with the full strength of the invasion armies. massed there, then Rundstedt’s difficulties will appear insuperable. When the time comes that the Allies can break out of the quadrilateral—assuming they can take it —rthe time will also come when the enemy will begin quitting France.