THE LONG VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 123, 20 November 1941, Page 10

THE LONG VIEW

BRITISH STRATEGY

AN UNBROKEN FRONT

(0.C.)

LONDON, October 24,

During the late summer mouths of 1941 the peoples of Britain, eager to draw off the German pressure from Russia, have clamoured for "invasion in the west." Time will prove the wisdom of Mr. Churchill's difficult decision.

One thing is certain—Britain is straining every nerve to aid her Russian ally. She has given generously from stores built up for her own defence. More than that, but for her support to Greece, at the expense of her Libyan defences, the "Battle of Moscow" would have been fought under favourable weather conditions. As it is. their onslaught, delayed by six weeks—perhaps six fatal weeks—the German task has been made more hideous by mud, sleet, and snow.,

From the Caucasus, through Iran, Irak. Syria, Palestine, and Egypt to the Western Desert, there is now one unbroken front. To that front supplies have been going continually from Britain. India, and other parts of the Empire and from the United States. A vast improvement in communications has been, undertaken so that men and supplies may move freely to any part of the great Middle East command.

The setting-up of the East African command, covering the former Italian East African territory, emphasises the growing strength of our forces centred on the Middle East, which now that the losses incurred in Greece and Crete have been made good, are preparing to take the initiative.

Unremitting hard work, audacity, and planning have built since Dunkirk a shield from Tobruk to the Persian Gulf and .Singapore—Britain's fortification.1-" are strengthened. Now at the supreme moment of the war Britain and thrEmpire are labouring to exnloit fully tho opportunities which tboiv mvn v>acl efforts and Russian heroism have presented.

Today Mr. Churchill can say with confidence, born of realism. "Wp stood alone a year ago and to many countries it seemed that our account was closed. Britain, other nations thought. had drawn a sponge across the slate. Our country stood alone in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in and by what seemed almost a miracle outside of these islands —they never doubted it—we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can bo sure that we have only to persevere to conquer/