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The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1943. THE RUSSIAN FRONT

Alter nearly a week of lighting on the Russian front the Germans have made no appreciable progress. On the contrary, they have suffered the heaviest losses, in material of any battle o£ the war. Even if the Soviet claims are substantially discounted, the fact remains that the Germans themselves admit, at least by inference, that the battle has gone against them. Following Stalingrad, North Africa, and the continuous Allied air raids the German High Command is desperately in need of victories with which to bolster the morale of its troops and the people of the Reich. In these circumstances, it may be taken for granted that it would not have hesitated to try and make capital out of even the slightest measure of success on the Russian front. As it is, it lias been reluctant even to admit that it launched an offensive at all and has attributed the fighting to Russian initiative. From this negative German approach, therefore, there .is confirmation of the Russian assertion that the first stages of the German offensive have failed. Satisfaction at- this situation, however, must be tempered by recognition of the fact that the battle is not yet over and by a realisation that tiie Germans, if they have done nothing else, have' at least demonstrated that- they still possess great striking power on.the eastern front.

With this caution against premature or excessive optimism, it is still possible to draw encouraging- conclusions from the week's fighting. There seems now to be more general acceptance of the view that, despite its scale and ferocity, this offensive had only limited objectives—that its immediate aim was confined to the straightening of the line by the elimination of the Kursk bulge. Even if that view is correct, however, the attainment of the limited objective might well encourage the Germans to embark upon much more ambitious adventures. If they had secured an early and overwhelming success, as no doubt they hoped, they would hardly have been content to rest on their laurels. Their hopes, however, must have been accompanied by doubts, for otherwise they would assuredly have launched the offensive with a fanfare of trumpets similar to that used on previous occasions. This, perhaps, is the first lesson to be learned from the operations—that the Germans no longer possess the confidence with which, all their previous offensives in Russia have been undertaken. It is an important point, because lack of confidence on the part of- the High Command cannot fail to transmit itself to all Sections of the armies engaged and flagging confidence in any army is generally a prelude to its disruption and defeat.'

The present position in Russia provides a striking contrast to iast year and the year before. At this time two years ago—only three weeks after the German attack on Russia —Hitler was already boasting that the Russian army had been annihilated and that mopping-up operations were virtually all that was left of the campaign. A little later he claimed that in a matter of weeks Moscow and Leningrad would be in German hands. How seriously he miscalculated is a matter of history. Since he could not admit that his intuition was at fault, Hitler blamed the weather—winter set in four weeks too soon. Last year he started a little earlier, but if he had learned the importance of the time factor he had still to learn the folly of counting his chickens before they were hatched. It is true that his early successes and his notable advance gave some ground for confidence, but again it was misplaced. It is hardly likely that the German people have forgotten—much though Hitler would like them to—his bold assurance that Stalingrad would Be captured.. Hitler failed then, as he failed the year before, to achieve his objective. There is good' reason, then, for his greater caution torday in not: announcing that-he has any. objectives at all; good reason, ; too, for confidence that whatever his objectives they will not be achieved.

There, are other things that emerge from this Week of Hard and bitter fighting. Of prime importance, perhaps. is the fact that, for the first time on the Russian front, German blitzkreig tactics have failed. An interesting point is that the Germans, despite their costly experience in North Africa, elected not to change their tank tactics. On the other hand, there is evidence that the Russians, profiting by their, own and the Allies' experiences, have perfected their antitank methods and measures and were able to inflict enormous toll on the enemy. In the air there has been a somewhat similar change in the situation, although here it is' probably due more to an alteration in the balance of power than to' any variation of tactics. In Russia, as much as on other fronts, the general Allied strategy and the weakening of the enemy are becoming more and more important factor's. Over-riding everything else is the fact that, whatever Hitler’s aims in the present offensive, the initial disorganisation of his plans mush in a large degree, disrupt his whole programme. He has failed togain from the element of surprise, he has lost more hOaviiy than ever before, and, even though he may still secure some successes, it is improbable that, in the long run, he Will be able to retrieve his position.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GISH19430710.2.7

Bibliographic details

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21143, 10 July 1943, Page 2

Word Count
901

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1943. THE RUSSIAN FRONT Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21143, 10 July 1943, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1943. THE RUSSIAN FRONT Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21143, 10 July 1943, Page 2

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