GERMAN BRIDGEHEADS

Evening Star, Issue 24482, 17 April 1943, Page 5

GERMAN BRIDGEHEADS

THE KUBAN AND TUNISIA END OF GRAHD AXIS STRATEGY Ak'PROACHIKG (British Ullivial Wireless.) (Hoc. ]0.30_a.m.) RUGBY, April 16. The Russians are watching nvo places on tiie map—the enemy bridgeheads in the Kuban, and Tunisia, according to a Moscow message. Sow all arc waiting to hear two resounding splashes, olio in thf Mediterranean and the other in the Black Sea, which will mark the end of grand German strategy. Whilst boviet eommeiiiators dwell on the dilticultios still facing the Allies in the last stage of the battle for the African shore, they consider the enemy's difficulties greater whether he tries to fight a delaying action or evacuate part of his forces to Italy. Wondering which bridgehead will be captured first, the commentators think it may be Tunisia, because the German* can still reinforce the Kuban front and the Crimea, and have air strength equal to the Russians. The menace to the Caucasus would remain even if the Russians cleared the whole of the-Kuban so long as the Germans held the Crimea and the. approaches to Rostov. It is considered that the effect of the Allied offensive in Africa on the eastern front depends on the interval which elapses before a full air and land offensive begins against Italy. It is clear that any lull in Western Europe enables the Germans to transfer large forces, especially air forces, at short notice between the west and the east. Their interior position and excellent railways give them a natural advantage in effecting such movements. The western Allies, on the other hand, have the advantage of being able to strike unawares from the sea at a very long coastline.