ALLIES’ GRIM HOUR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20861, 13 August 1942, Page 3

ALLIES’ GRIM HOUR

VARIED THREATS DANGER IN RUSSIA SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES’ (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. It is a grim hour for the Allied nations, with the Germans striking ever deeper into Russia's vitals, with General Rommel still threatening Egypt, with the Japanese ready Jo strike at Siberia, and with civil disobedience in India—-India which can be regarded as the focal point and desired meeting point of both Germans and Japanese. It can be borne in mind, however, that there is evidence of great strain on the German home front and that in the battles now being fought the slakes at issue are almost as large for the Germans as for the Russians. German armament workers are being hard driven, while the Germans have cut down civilian standards in food, fuel rationing, and also hours of rest. Meanwhile, the British and American strength is growing in Britain. Reviewing the present industries in Russia, the question arises as to whether the Germans will attempt to force the Caucasus mountains to reach Baku or strike swiftly acrossthe north Caucasus, where only foothills impede .them.. If they reached Makhach-Kala they would be able to establish flying fields and bomb shipping in the Caspian Sea. The Germans may try and encircle General Timoshenko by reaching MakhachKala and advancing 50 miles from the Don to the Volga. Other key-points on the Russian front are Voronej and Rjev. It is felt that if the Russian counter-offen-sives developed satisfactorily in these areas it would be valuable aid. The inter-Allied talks now proceeding in Moscow are regarded as of first importance. They undoubtedly include discussions of what aid can be given to Russia by the Allies. One result of .the Germans’ success in the Caucasus will be that the approaching winter will now cut both ways, for the Soviet’s economic losses are severe. Russia’s main supply problem is now fuel. She has lost more than half her coal production, with the result that European Russia faces a cold and coal-less winter, for there is little hope of coal from the Urals and the Kurnetsk districts being available. The Russians have also lost one-third of their wheat and 60 per cent of their iron. Mr. Negley Farson, writing in the Daily Mail, declares that the food position in Russia is already alarming.