The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, June 17, 1943. ZERO HOUR NEARER.

Grey River Argus, 17 June 1943, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, June 17, 1943. ZERO HOUR NEARER.

It is obviously more than a mere Allied Avar of nerves which is creating the new anxiety, but more significantly new shifts, within the region Hitler has called his Fortress. It seems now to be, for instance, an open Question as to which side on the Eastern Front is going to be the first off the mark with a genuine major offensive. The Germans lately claimed only stability, and justwhy no more was claimed may be explained, by the latest news that German forces are being withdrawn, to the "Western Front. At long last that memorable phrase, the “Western Front,” begins once again to lake on a new meaning. Except for a comparative few Allied leaders, of course, nobody—and certainly nobody in the enemy camp—knows when, whore and how that phrase will embrace the fullness of: meaning which it will be given by the actual invasion. The only certainty is that an invasion is fast approaching, and Axis radios leave nobody in any doubt on that point. Tt appears to be an Allied belief that the “softening” process, which has reduced so many German and Italian cities and war plants to ruins, has advanced suf ficiently for landings to be got ready without delay, and there is German authority for it that, the Allied convoys in the Mediterranean have so far grown that an immense force is awaiting orders to go ahead. From Gibraltar almost to the Dardanelles the Allied preparations are evidently well forward, and the closing,of Turkey’s frontier by the British from the Syrian side is significant. Turkey herself does not appear anywise disturbed by latest developments, her spokesman reporting good relations all round. Incidentally this coincides with the Axis turnover completely to the defensive, and thus indicates Turkey’s idea of security! The Italians are consumed with anxiety, as they well may be, because their country remains more than ever the soft side of the “fortress,” but morale is reported to be apparently weakening in parts of Germany,’ giving the Nazi Party a full-time job on the home front alone to forestall <i possible collapse. America s propagandist-in-chief, Mr., Elmer Davis,'who should be well informed, predicts a sudden collapse in Germany, while others say that the Junkers finally are likely to “ditch” Hitler with the idea. of gaining a compromise peace. Nevertheless. one German histoiian, Lucjwig. lately told the Americans that it is the Prussians, far more than Hitler, who arc Hie foundation, from generation to generation, of German militarism and aggression. After Stalingrad, where the German General Stall Diet its greatest rebuff —and ga\e Hitler all the credit—it is hard to believe that the Fuhrer cuts any ice to-day in the disposition er plans of the Keich forces. For this reason, those plans, in spitb of civilians adversely reacting to them, cannot bo taken cheaply. Invasion must be planned, manned, supported, and maintained with the maximum toresight and strength at the Allies’ disposal. They have the initiative, and may be relied on both to strike hard and possibly to reach France; whilst another landing in the Eastern Mediterranean, might also soon materialise. Were there to 'be landings first in southern and then in northern Europe, the enemy might soon be obliged so far to retire as to place, his present U-boat bases quite out o:l his reach. Meantime, the kingpin of the Allied offensive re-

mains air attack, and the manner in Avliich it monopolises the ad yancc implies that it is attaining the desired object. Realising this, it is no surprise if anxiety has become the refran of Axis propaganda, and this not merely for what may portend from outside, but what also may threaten from within.