RUSSIAN CONFUSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 106, 31 October 1942, Page 7

RUSSIAN CONFUSION

SECOND FRONT PROMISE

POSSIBILITY OF INVASION

OF ITALY

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrigtit.)

NEW YORK, October 29.

The military commentator of the New York newspaper "P.M." says: "Mr. Stalin and the Soviet officials have always realised that Britain and the United States were not committed to the opening of a second front in continental Europe in 1942, but they have not corrected the impression which is widely held by the Russian people that the Allied leaders made such a promise. .'■■■■ "A high-ranking.official in Washington who is in a position to know the feelings and temper of the Russian people made this explanation and cleared up most of. the confusion and misunderstanding with a lucid picture of what the Russian people want.

"First and foremost, they want a second front in Europe. Even a smashing success in Egypt will not be enough unless it leads to an invasion of the Continent, possibly via Italy. Mr. Stalin accepted Mr. Churchill's explanation of why it is at present impossible, but most of the Russian people have believed that the inaction is due to the British errors of overestimating the German strength in France and the Low Countries.

"This source declared that Mr. Churchill's visit to Russia considerably lessened the British-Russian tension. It is most encouraging to note that the statement made by this important figure is a declaration of confidence

tfiat the Russian people will continue to resist the Nazi invaders, that-Stal-ingrad will hold through the winter, and that the Germans will not capture either the Grozny or the Baku oil. "Undoubtedly a thrust in southern Europe . would, serve ■ the same . purpose as an invasion from the West. The diversion value would be identical. Despite the fact that superficially it would be harder to cross the Mediterranean than to span the Channel, many militarists are convinced that it would be less difficult because Italy's coastline is virtually undefended and Italy is ripe for revolution and invasion, whereas the strongest defence lines in the world have been built by the Nazis along the western coastline of Europe.. The possibility, of.such an ambitious undertaking rests entirely on the outcome of the campagiri against Rommel. The complete destruction of Rommel's army, and hard and fast control of the entire south Mediterranean, are obviously imperative preliminary accomplishments." ■ ,