The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, August 20, 1942. NEW MIDDLE EAST COMMANDERS.

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1942, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, August 20, 1942. NEW MIDDLE EAST COMMANDERS.

Once more a change is being tried in the British command in the Middle East. Though announced after Air. Churchill’s Moscow visit, it was evidently in prospect before he went, as he called at Cairo, and his route evidently was through the Middle East. At the same time, General Wavell also revisited the Desert front when en route to Moscow. Consequently the recent decisions there taken have probably as much reference to the Middle Eastern theatre as to iany other, a conclusion countenanced by the

American speculation as 'to whether the strengthening of the Caucasus front may not have been the primary topic at Moscow, rather than h second front in Western or Northern Europe. In yesterday’s British commando raid on the Channel coast of France, at Dieppe, one might imagine a preliminary to invasion, although it also might bear the appearance of only a feint. Whilst the Germans are moving southwards along the eastern coast 'of the Black Sea, Von Rommel’s Afrika Corps is being strengthened, and it looks as if Middle Eastern developments yet might become the centre nf gravity, nathcr than territory on the Western and Northern coast of Europe. Hence the importance of the most expert and experienced commanders for the British Forces there. General Wavell himself should be no mean judge, and since going a year ago to India, he hfts had the opportunity to learn the merits of General Alexander, who succeeds General Auchinlck, and who is credited with fighting an impressive rearguard campaign in Burma. It would be la mistake to imagine that changes in command are merely defensive in character. The

Axis may reinforce in the Desert, but it has been held, and with additions from America and Britain to the Allied forces, it will be no surprise if the next development

scheduled in Egypt is a. reverse' movement of the shuttle so ;as to maintain; the. regular ebb-and flow which has characterised the whole campaign in North Africa. Mr. Churchill some time before Von Rommell’s advance sthted the Allied strength in the Middle East as nearly a million men. There must therefore be a very considerable force on the Asiatic side of Suez, and since access is easy, this can be further enlarged if it should be necessary to bar the enemy from passing from the Caucasus into Asia. It is quite a reasonable conclusion, from enemy troop movements, over a period of several months, in the Balkans, South Russia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean islands, that the Middle Hast remains the goal of the supreme Axis effort. The Japanese cannot be left out of account, with their occupation of Burma, especially in view of the uncertain situation in India. If the Axis succeeded in the Middle East, its forces could be combined and all of the oil necessary for the engines of war would be obtainable. Russia would be isolated to quite a considerable exlent, and the enemy would be able to move east or west as he wished for a final assault against the Allies. On the other hand, the Middle East in Allied hands offers a source of offense which could put both Germany and Italy in grave difficulty. Italy is in danger of invasion at any time by forces crossing the Mediterranean. Moreover, contrary to the idea of such (as repose their hopes in a second I front on the west, strategists acknowledge that the most vulnerable side of Germany is her eastern frontier. It seems well barred, at the moment, but forces crossing through Italy and the Balkans might reach the eastern frontier, more especially if the enemy were proceupied on other frintiers. The Middle East is therefore no mere single desert command, but one extending far across another desert to the. Indian border. As it may yet merge directly with not only the Russian, but also the .Har Eastern front, and already contains a large enemy army, the importance of the most proven Allied leadership in the Middle East is abundantly evident.