WAR OUTLOOK

Grey River Argus, 25 January 1943, Page 6

WAR OUTLOOK

U.S. OFFICIAL’S OPTIMISM

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21

Mr. Patterson, Under Secretary of War, reviewing the general operations told a Press conference that t-ie (overall picture was bright. Tripoli's 'fate was a matter of hours. The New I Guinea campaign was almost completed. The lifting of the siege of Leningrad was one of the most remarkable occurrences of this war. The continuing Russian successes were particularly heartening. The doom of the German divisions, around Stalingrad appeared assured. Evidently the Germans hoped to establish a winter line deep in Russia, probably along the river system, with the Volga as the summer objective. The Germans were likely now to be satisfied to rest <at the Don, but the rate at which the Russians were driving them back made it possible to compel the Germans to retreat to the Donets, or even the Dnieper. He added that the dark spot in the Allied picture was the high submarine sinkings. Construction of new shipping now exceeds losses. Moreover the new ships were faster and bettei’ than those lost. Greater emphasis was being placed on anti-sub-marine warfare and the protection of shipping as the offensive operations developed around the world.