BRIGHT PICTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1943, Page 3

BRIGHT PICTURE

THE WAR OUTLOOK

GOOD SIGNS ALL

ROUND

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) . . WASHINGTON, January 21. Mr. Robert P. Patterson,- the Under-Secretary for War, reviewing general operations, told a Press conference that the overall picture is bright. The rapid advance of the British Eighth Army threatens Tripoli, the fall of which seems to be a matter of hours. Rommel's withdrawal was orderly and < the casualties were light. It was doubtful whether Rommel could establish an effective line.;. : ■ ; Mr. Patterson said the lifting of the siege of Leningrad was one.of the mosi remarkablei occurrences, of this i war. The continued Russian successes.;were particularly heartening, and: the doom of the German divisions^ at Stalingrad appeared to be assured. Evidently the Germans hoped to establish a winter line deep inßussia, probably along the river system, with the Volga as the summer objective. The Germans iwere likely now to be satisfied to rest at the Don, but at the rate at which the Russians were driving-them back the Germans would possibly retreat: to. the Donets or even to, the Dnieper..-, ;■,.■ Mr Patterson said the marines from Guadalcanal were now getting a much - needed rest. He.explained .that Major«• General Patch relieving MajorrGeneral Vahdergrift did \ riot 1 affect ■.' General Harmon's general command under Vice-Admiral Halsey.< •,..:; : r. The ,lull in Tunisia was due to .unfavourable weather,, although, there was considerable ;&ir action.-, Allied planes were •maintaining a-two to one superiority over the Axis. • • ■■■■ ■ ■ IN';THE 'PACIFIC. ' - . ' In the South-west Pacific the Australian and American^ troops had almost completed the New* Guinea campaign, and the Japanese force of 15,000 had been literally annihilated. It was heartening that the Australians and Americans had proved superior to the ,Japanese in jungle fighting, in which the Japanese were thought to be masters., / • Mr,. Patterson added that the dark spot in the Allied picture was the high submarine, sinkings., The construction of new shipping now exceeded the losses. Moreover, the new ships were faster and better than those lost. Greater ■' emphasis was being /placed on anti-submarine warfare and; the • protection of, shipping as offensive operations developed around the;world. ~