Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1941. TAKING THE OFFENSIVE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 November 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1941. TAKING THE OFFENSIVE.

REPORTS from Cairo of the fighting in Libya, if no less confident of ultimate Empire victory. are now more restrained than in llie initial days of General Cunningham’s offensive. The German resistance rallied, following the first surprise, and casualties in men and material became heavy on both sides. The situation is described as confused, and until it develops, hope and conjecture have wide scope. The prospects favour the Empire forces, but triumph will not be easy, the Ger-

mans again proving they are not foemcn to be despised. The Axis had made great preparations, not merely to hold Libya, but to invade Egypt, and the fact that they an- now on the defensive is encouraging.

'rhe Xew Zealanders have added to their laurels. The earlier stages of their advance did not present great difficulties, but the advance towards Tobruk is meeting with determined opposition. Confidence will be felt in the New Zealanders' fortitude and enterprise, but. it

must not he thought that their going will be easy. The Australians. especially those who shared the burden of the defence of Tobruk. will, regret they are not in the present campaign. They will have plenty of later chances. The Australian, desire to have their troops together is to be given effect, the Far East developments perhaps influencing this decision. The Australian Commander. Sir T. Blarney, is finishing his consultations with the Federal home authorities, and his visit should prove beneficial. Ho makes no secret of his own opinion that Australia’s v;ar effort is inadequate against so strong an enemy as Germany,. Incidentally, lie ranks Hitler as' another Napoleon in brain-power.

One Lesson already l available from the happenings in Libya, is that to he successful, an offensive must be carefully planned, and be fully equipped, with ample speedy reinforcements available, in case

of a cheek. Those in Britain, andp elsewhere, who clamour for often- $ sives on the Continent against the . Germans, should take note. Ad- • miral Sir R. Keyes is again de- ; nouncing Whitehall, —he mainly ■ means the Admiralty,—for being unduly cautious. He claims that Mr. Churchill agrees with him, but it is necessary to hear what the Prime Minister has to say on this subject before accepting the Admiral’s estimate. Sir Roger was ever aggressive, his most spectacular exploit in the Great AV ar. being the attack he organised on Zeebrugge and Ostend. on St. George’s Day, 1918. The heroism displayed thrilled the Empire, but some experts had later doubts if the actual achievement had great military value. It is British traditional policy that attack is the best defence, but policy must be shaped by the particular circumstances. It is known that advantage is taken of opportunities to harass by action on land, sea and in the air, the German forces on the Continent, but Britain is not yet in a position to attempt anything on a big scale. Large forces have to be kept available in various parts of the world, and Britain’s own defence needs cannot be belittled, except perhaps by those who have not the terrible responsibilities oi those now in command.