The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 1941. A BRITISH OFFENSIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 21 November 1941, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, FRIDAY, NOV. 21, 1941. A BRITISH OFFENSIVE

The news that the British and Imperial forces in the Middle East have at last launched their longplanned offensive against Cyrenaica has been received with jubilation in all parts of the world other than those under Axis control. In some respects it may seem that the rejoicing is premature, but to some extent, at least, it is fully justified. It marks the transition from long and arduous preparation to determined and resolute action; it opens up the prospect of achievement in place of the wearying, nerve-racking period of waiting; and it gives the army of the Middle East a real opportunity of playing an important part in the actual conduct of the war. The significance of this campaign should not be underestimated. It is something far more than a mere venture into the Western Desert. It is part and parcel of the whole war against the Axis Powers. It is definitely linked with the bitter struggle that it now being waged in Russia, and is an indirect attack against Germany itself. It marks the opening of that “second front” to which reference has repeatedly been made, and to which so much importance has been attached. It is a definite Allied offensive, for which the opportunities in this war have been all too few, and it may have far-reaching repercussions on the progress of the whole war. This campaign should not be confused, or even compared, with the operations in the same theatre nearly a year ago. Since then, the scene has been considerably changed. The spectacular advance made by General Wavell's forces last year was more by accident than design. It owed its .success fgr more to brilliant strategy and the element of surprise • than to the strength of the Allied forces. It was for this reason that the gains could not be held when the Axis forces launched their counter-attack. To-day the stage is set for something more in the nature of a pitched battle between two armies which have been steadily preparing for many months. In these circumstances it would be unwise to expect rapid and sensational advances such as those which were made previously by both sides. The Italian forces which previously held Libya have been strongly reinforced by German troops, but just how strongly remains to be seen. The strength of the Allies, too, has been immeasurably increased, but it must not be overlooked that they have other and heavy responsibilities in the Middle East. It is unlikely, in view of the importance of tlie issues involved, that the Axis will surrender its North African territory without a determined struggle, and this means that a serious trial of strength lies ahead.

On the face of it, there is every reason why the future should be viewed with confidence. The Allies appear to have everything in their favour compared with a year ago. The other danger spots in Africa have been cleaned up and the experienced troops used in those engagements have been released for service in Cyrenaica. They have been strengthened by fresh troops from South Africa, New Zealand and Great Britain. Their equipment has been improved almost beyond recognition and supplemented by 'a constant flow of arms from the United States. The Royal Air Force lias already shown that it has mastery of the North African air and has maintained a relentless attack on the enemy bases and lines of communications extending right from Italy itself to the front line. The waters of the Mediterranean are controlled by the British Navy and have been rendered unsafe for enemy convoys. The conquest of Iraq, Syria and Iran has rendered the rear almost immune from attack, and there is no fear of distractions such as Greece and Crete. On ttie other hand, the Axis forces are seriously involved in the Russian campaign and, for the first time, are engaged in a" war on two fronts. Their air and naval strength has been much depleted and they have been able to supply their forces in North Africa only with the greatest difficulty. Surely the known circumstances justify restrained optimism, although it would be an error to under-estimate the strength of the enemy, and it is permissible to consider some of the possible implications of this new campaign. The immediate objective is to drive the Axis out of North Africa —not merely Cyrenaica this time, but the whole of Libya. In the process, the garrison at Tobruk, which has played such a conspicuous "and invaluable part in the war in this theatre, will be relieved. Possession of Libya, assuming it to be secured, will alter the whole outlook in the rest of North Africa, including the French possessions. More than that, it will pave the way for a subsequent attack on Sicily

and even on Italy itself. In the meantime, it will create a diversion for the Axis forces and, in some measure at least, relieve the pressure on the eastern front. It will have important psychological reactions in Turkey and Spain, and even in France. It will not be without its effect even in distant Japan, which must be influenced by the evidence of Allied striking power and the knowledge that further units of the British Navy will be released for service elsewhere. All these things, and more, hinge on the new campaign that has been launched. It may, indeed, be a turning point in the war, but whether that is the case or not there is so much at stake that every move in the next few weeks will be watched with the greatest interest.