Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 1944. INVASION OF GERMANY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 1944. INVASION OF GERMANY.

'J'IIE entry of Allied troops into Germany opens a fresh chapter in the war. The invasion, so far, is small and in itself has little military value, but what it foreshadows is important. The Allies as invaders and not liberators, may find that new triumphs will bring new problems and responsibilities. Overcoming the Siegfried Line may not be the greatest of the difficulties, as the Allies’ superiority in manpower and material should guarantee the fall of all enemy strongholds. What remains to be demonstrated, and what will have important effects on the duration-of the struggle, is the attitude of the German people and especially the youths, whose zeal for the Fuehrer and the Nazi cause is not denied. Will the .Allies be treated by the German people with similar hostility, contempt, and underground movements, as harassed the German troops when they were invaders and occupiers? In 1918-19, Germany, except for a small area, was not occupied by the victorious Allies, and despite the consideration shown by the Army of Occupation, there were undercurrents of hostility, not always suppressed. It is the intention, this time, for the Allies to occupy the wffiole of Germany, partly to impress upon the people that they have been militarily defeated, partly as penalty and precaution. Under the best of circumstances, this occupation will be irksome to both parties, but if the Germans seriously oppose the occupiers, a great and difficult task will be thrust on the latter. Partisans mother lands have shown what can be done by determined gangs, especially in the way of sabotage of railways, power works, and other important amenities. To safeguard' all these, throughout Germany would require a large force, and incidents” would be followed by reprisals, not necessarily of so savage a character as the Germans followed when they were invaders.

Correspondents’ reports are often ahead of events, and the predictions are not always correct. It is now stated that the Germans are starting a “scorched earth” policy to cheek the invaders. If the Allies’ aerial assaults have been as effective as claimed, there will not be very much the Germans can add to the destruction of military objectives. It must be assumed that, the Allied airmen will more than maintain their bombings, and artillery attacks will add to the havoc. It will be interesling to see how the Germans take invasion, especially in the Last, where the Red Army will be in no mood to display love for the enemy who previously wrought terrible ravages on Russia. Britain has also suffered much, and if U.S.A, has escaped direct attack, the cost to the Americans in life and wealth has been tremendous. France has intimated that she wishes to take part in the occupation of Germany, and revengeful purpose cannot, be disregarded. Belgium and Holland. Norway and Denmark, also have scores to pay. The “Big Three” may find it difficult to control these friends. It is well that the problems arising from tie occupation of Germany have been caie fullv studied, and that lessons from the occupation of Italy are available.