NEW EVENTS

Grey River Argus, 31 October 1942, Page 3

NEW EVENTS

EXPECTED IN WAR. LONDON, Oct. 23. That the war is about to enter a new phase and that the Allies stand on the threshold of big events is the opinion held in well-informed circles in London. This opinion is based on the general position of the war. It was always recognised throughout the summer that if Russia could prevent Hitler realising his ' objectives of smashing Soviet military power, it Britain could defend Egypt until winter’s approach, and Australia and America could hold the Japanese in check, then the tide of war might turn slowly and surely in the Allies favour. . The first touch of winters breath is beginning to seep through Europe. In Britain there is a growing feeling backed up. by leaders’ speeches, that this year’s' limited obpectives have been ' obtained .and that Ihe gravest period of challenge is gradually passim?. It is now hoped that Britain will no longer be a defensive fortress n role which Germany is tak’ng on ithat Hitler will be attacked, not only in Europe, but also in Africa, and that America will get In fundamental grips with Japan. The present stage is regarded as a searching test of national self-discipline. It is a period when some uncertainty exists: when it is not known what is in the minds of the military leaders, but their planning must be taken on trust. The cardinal fact in Hitler’s Rossi mi campaign is that he is entering the winter with a defensive line approximately twice as long as last year’s. He had hoped, by defeating the Red Armv to hold down Russ’a with skelton garrisons while switching hi? main forces to the westward. Although the German army is better prepared for the winter than last vear and the Russians have lost valuable territory and resources, yet Hitler in addition to failing tn defeat the S'oviet Armv, has also failed to secure Transcaucasia and the oil. This > : s largely due to Stalingrad’s heroic defence 'which-has obliged Hitler to concentrate his forces them instead of dispersing them to the Caucasus. Thus while Stalingrad’s position has deteriorated it would be unwise, to sav that it has lost its strategic importance while resistance may continue for some time. But it would be unwise tn believe that Hitler will be content with merely defensive operations, or that he Germans will not hit out in the near future against E-ynt to which thev can divert some divisions and the Luftwaffe.