NOTES ON THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 5, 7 January 1944, Page 4

NOTES ON THE WAR

STRENGTH OF AXIS

SOBER AMERICAN VIEW

The duration of the war in both main theatres, Europe and the Pacific, will depend largely on the relative strengths of the Allies and the Axis and their capacity for sticking out a fight to a finish. This is the view of the U.S. General George V. Strong, Assistant Chief of Staff.

On September 27-28, 1943, a secret conference was held in Washington between heads of the U.S. War Department and industrial, labour, and newspaper leaders. From the minutes of this a "War Report" was compiled and recently released for publication. In this report are certain passages from an address given by General Strong on the "Strength of the Axis." While, no doubt, the address was. designed to correct the tone of complacency—as if the war was already won—apparent among the American people, the sober view of the situation taken by one so prominent in the U.S. High Command must command attention. Ma]orGeneral Strong says: The Wehrmacht. "The German army has nearly three times as many combat divisions in the field today as there were when the attack on Poland began four years ago. The Germans raised and equipped armoured, motorised, and infantry divisions to replace each of the twenty divisions lost at Stalingrad last winter. The German Luftwaffe is larger now than it was in 1939, despite heavy losses inflicted upon it by the Allied air forces. The number of workers employed in war industries in Nazi-dominated territories has risen from 23,000,000 at the start of the war to a present total of 35,000,000, and the weapons they are making are in some cases better than any which the United Nations have. No Sign of Collapse. 3 "Even with the loss.of Italian aid, Germany's position has been only slightly weakened. The German food ration is higher in calory content than at the outbreak of the war, and there is nothing in the German economic picture to justify confidence in the immediate downfall of the Nazi structure. Germany does not, it is true, have as many divisions now as the United Nations. If all the resources of the United Nations are pooled, we have.a definite advantage over Germany in the European theatre. However, if it were not for the enormous sacrifices of our Russian ally the odds would be roughly four or five to one against us. In addition, these odds are made more unfavourable by the vast network of fortifications which the Germans have prepared against Allied attacks. Cost of Victory. "No serious break in German morale is apparent as a result of the bombings from the air. Long casualty lists are certain to come as we reach the points at which the Germans are determined to make their stands. Even under the most favourable circumstances our losses may well be so heavy that they will be felt in every town and every village in the United. States. Once the United Nations forces have reached the lines on which the Germans have determined to stand, the days of inexpensive victories will end. Further advances will be contested yard by yard and foot by foot, and by well-trained, veterair troops. The Germans have now 300 well-trained divisions. This year alone the Germans have re-formed and reequipped, or raised more than 60 new divisions, each of which has approximately 600 machine-guns and 300 heavier weapons. Long* Way tq Tokio. "Japanese man-power resources in and out of Japan proper are very great, the morale of both the armed forces and civilian population is excellent, and geographic factors give its defensive position tremendous added strength. The Solomons are only an outpost, more than 3000" miles from the heart of the Empire. We have yet to reach any main Japanese line of resistance or any point at which they are apparently determined to hold at all costs. When we do, our casualties undoubtedly will mount, as they have mounted since we first reached the edge of Hitler's European fortress in Italy. The Japanese still have some 2,000,000 men of military age who have not yet been called to the colours because they have not been needed, and they have nearly as many more in the 17-20 age group who are not now subject to the draft. "In the air Japanese strength is also on the up grade. The enemy has not only replaced the planes lost in combat, but both numerically and in quality of planes the Jap air force is improving. Moreover, the pilots' training programme has been stepped up to keep pace with the accelerated production schedule. "The Japanese are in a strong position today, and their power in many I respects is steadily increasing. The longer we leave them in virtual control of East Asia, the more difficult the eventual struggle will be. Must Face Facts. "The main advantage we have is our, ability to produce the weapons of war. If through our unwillingness to face the facts, we give up this advantage, we may find our opportunity for victory has escaped us permanently. To ensure the accomplishment of our war mission—the defeat of Germany and Japan—demands the wholehearted, single-minded effort, not only of every man, woman, and child in the country, but also every bit of productive power, inventive genius, and executive ability we possess."