MOST CRITICAL SUMMER

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1943, Page 5

MOST CRITICAL SUMMER

U.S. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF Reviews War Prospects allied unity the road TO VICTORY. (Rec. 8.15.) NEW YORK. June 22. General Marshall, addressing a conference of State Governors at Columbus, Ohio, said: “This is the most critical summer- in the world’s history. The enemy’s initial advantage in men, guns, ships, and planes has been overcome, and we have seized the initiative. Furthermore, and, probably, most important of all, we have secured a base for unity of action as to strategy, operations, shipping, material, and virtually every phase of warfare unprecedented in history. The pattern for victory is' clearer co-ordinated leadership for Allied action. Overwhelming military power- in the air, on land, and at sea, and a skilful application of these in Tunisia gave us an invaluable pattern for the future.

“But our tasks will be increasingly difficult, with the great hazard of an overwater approach, and heavy battle beyond the beaches. The way will be far from easy. Losses will be heavy, but victory is certain.’’ General Marshall said: “Pantellaria was an experiment, for which there proved to be a sound logical basis. But Pantellaria was unique, because of the character of the island, the quality of the garrison, our complete naval control in the surrounding waters, and the proximity of the Allied airfields. Our -victory of Tunisia was favoured by our overwhelming airpower. But this would have been a stalemate without aggressive ground and naval action. “Bombing may hammer an adversary to his knees, but he will recover, unless there is a knock-out blow delivered by way of the ground.

“One of our great puzzles is how the Japanese can stand the beating which they are taking in the air. Their ordinary losses run from thirty to seventy-five per cent'., with very moderate losses on the side of ' the American pilots. Furthermore, the Japanese suffer continuous losses of grounded planes, losing, on an average, one destroyed on the ground to one in the air. “An. encouraging aspect of the situation" to-day is that we have men trained: with guns, tanks, ships, and planes in constantly increasing numbers. “The Prussian forces grow steadily more formidable, presenting a constant terrible threa.t to the bulk of the German Armv. There is a steady imorovement in the equipment and training of the Chinese forces. “There can but be one. result, unless the enemv succeeds in creating internal friction among the Allies, dividing on e against the other, and leading to a public loss of confidence in the war effort.’’ General Marshall urged the Slate Governors to check any sudden waves of optimism leadin'- the public to feel that a great effort had been accomplished and that the end was in sight. “This is far from the case.’’ he said. “We ar e just getting well started. Great battles lie ahead. We have vet to be proven in the agony pf the enduring, heavy casualties and reverses that are inevitable in war.”