VICTORY CERTAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 27, 2 February 1943, Page 5

VICTORY CERTAIN

GIRAUD CONFIDENT

LONDON, January 31. That Germany had already lost the war was emphasised by General Giraud in an interview with the "Daily Mail's" • correspondent, Ward Price. "The German General Staff know it; Petain knows it, and only Laval clings to the illusion that the Germans will be victorious," said General Giraud.

"I saw the war coming for years and warned each French Premier that it was inevitable. Mr. Churchill, while he was at Casablanca, reminded 'me that I foretold the war when he visited me early in 1939. "We have been within a hairbreadth of destruction. I despaired in September, 1940, when 1 was a prisoner, but the R.A.P. saved Britain and civilisation. Another moment when I was most anxious was during the German campaign in the Balkans, which was brilliantly conducted. But when Hitler attacked Russia I knew the end was sure. Russia's vastness makes her impregnable."

Asked how victory would come, General Giraud replied: "Let us begin with North Africa! When Rommel joins yon Arnim their combined forces will number about 200,000, of whom Rommel's 100,000 have lost material during the retreat. They will very soon have only two courses—evacuation or capitulation.

"The British and American strength in North Africa will soon be overwhelming, and in addition General Montgomery can bring in 2000 aircraft from Tripoli. If the Germans try to evacuate they will give the British Navy an ideal chance to smash them. Whatever they do they are doomed." Asked whether \ the Germans will fight to the last, General Giraud said: "I believe they will. I do not expect a split in Germany, where the Nazis have too strong a grip." General Giraud added that he fully expected that the generals before the end woulo! displace Hitler from the supreme command, but that the national resistance would continue till the armies were finally beaten in the field,

The Germans' defeat was certain because they Were becoming exhausted. Hitler, like Napoleon, took on a task which was beyond the country's strength. Germany would call up the last reserved youth who, doubtless, would fight gallantly, but they would be overwhelmed by. the Allies' constantly growing resources.

France's North African troops, which always had been the cream of the French army, had. already fully proved their fighting spirit. General Giraud said his army of 300,000 would be ready in a few months and would be able to participate in the big battles of Europe. "I predict that 1944 will be the year of our complete victory," he said. "We shall by then have landed in ,Europe and invaded Germany, and we shall dictate peace in Berlin." ,