NOTES ON THE WAR NOW ESSENTIAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3137, 29 June 1942, Page 6

NOTES ON THE WAR NOW ESSENTIAL

TOBRUK ASSET TO AXIS NEW THREAT TO EGYPT DEFENCE VITAL TO ALLIES Recent news items make it clear that Tobruk was intended to be a forward bastion for the defence of Egypt and, :if and when the opportunity occurred for a renewed attach on Italian North Africa. The railway from Egypt, of which the tei minus was Mersa Matruh at the outbreak of the war, had been pushed, according to the news, “almost into Tobruk” with a pipeline for water running alongside. In the Palestine campaign of 1916-18 the same plan of rail and pipe was adopted, but no part of it was ever lost. With Tobruk as an Axis base the facilities should help Rommel, as the railway gauge is standard European. It is not certain what the losses of the Eighth Army were in the battles before Tobruk and in Tobruk itself, but they must have been heavy. It will be necessary to reinforce the army on the frontier very considerably before there can be any reasonable prospect of prolonged defence. Rommel is evidently strong in all arms, including dive-bombers, tanks, mobile transport and artillery, and he

is expert at handling them with great speed. This was shown in the assault on Tobruk. It will not be long before he tackles the frontier defences. Fortunately, according to General Smuts, the larger part of the total South African force sent to Egypt will be available for the defence, and more men are to be sent from South Africa. It should also be possible to draw on the other armies, the Ninth and Tenth, in the Middle East, without seriously weakening the Allied position in Syria and Iran, which is not in immediate danger. A reinforcement of the air units defending Egypt will also be necessary. OTHER ACTIVE THEATRES In the meantime littje more can be said about the situation. Where the blame lies for the Libyan failure will no doubt be cleared up later. The position of Sebastopol remains critical, if not desperate. On the rest of the Russian front there are no signs yet of the German spring offensive, though Hitler may choose the anniversary of the first invasion to launch it. More probably he is waiting to see what the Allies will do about the “second front” before becoming heavily engaged in Russia. In the Far East the policy of the Japanese in the Aleutians and at Midway seems to be to widen the ring of encirclement so that they can be free from interference in their campaigns in China and, possibly, against Eastern Siberia later.. Anything the Allies can do is dependent on the shipping available, and this problem is deemed by some speculative com-

MARTHA MINING COMPANY SERVICE TO BE POSTPONED EXPERIENCED MEN ONLY Mining operations by the Martha Gold Mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd., have been declared essential. This information is contained in a letter from the Director of National Service, Mr J. S. Hunter, which was received late yesterday afternoon by the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, who presided at a conference on May 11 at which Waihi’s immediate future, and the welfare of the borough should the drain on man-power from the Martha Gold Mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd., for war purposes continue, were thoroughly discussed by all parties concerned. STABILISING THE POSITION “I am instructed,” wrote Mr Hunter, “to inform you that the Martha Company was declared essential on June 22. The Government also decided to advise appellate tribunals that a postponement of military service be granted in respectj?f experienced men on behalf of whom appeals are lodged. It was, however, decided that the withdrawal of experienced men from military service could not be approved. It was considered that the two lines of action now being taken will stabilise the labour position in the mines and enable the company to continue ivS operations.” Commenting on the result of the conference, with which he expressed satisfaction, Mr Wallnutt said sue* cess had been in not a small measure due to the untiring efforts of Mr James Thorn, M.P. for Thames, in presenting representations to the Government, and to Mr -J. Gifford, of the National Service Department, for his help. THE RECENT CONFERENCE As well as the chairman, and those whose names have already been mentioned, there were present at the conference the superintendent of the Martha Co., Mr J. L. Gilmour, and the mine manager and assistant-superin-tendent, Mr A. F. Lowrie, Mr J. G. Bincham, president, and Mr J. Thorpe, secretary, representing the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries’ Union; Messrs W. V. Hill (Engine Drivers’ Union) and C. Jennings (Engineers’ Union); the Inspector of Mines, Mr E. J. Scoble; and the town clerk, Mr E. C. Westbury. The whole problem was reviewed from angles affecting the stability of ■Waihi as a borough, the safe and profitable working of the mine, and the interests of the mine workers. Many questions were asked and answered.

Mr Gifford, in' reply, explained what was implied in a declaration of the industry as essential, and indicated in general terms the nature of the report he would make to the Government.

mentators in America to be one of the chief topics of the Roosevelt-Church-ill conversations there. This is the real “bottleneck” in the Allied grand strategy. DAMAGE IN AIR BLITZ Those who may feel some scruples about the R.A.F.’s bombing of Lubeck, Rostock, Cologne and the Ruhr may be interested in a passage from a recent letter from England describing the effect of Nazi bombing on a large industrial city in the northwest. In September and October, 1940, says the correspondent, this area had only seven “clear” nights, and some of the raids lasted over six hours. There were more “clear” nights in November and December, but the raids were heavier and more prolonged. Six exceeded six hours each, and one —on December 22 — lasted 12 hours. “I don’t think lam disclosing any information that has not been published,” adds the correspondent, “but M has had at least

eight areas, covering from seven to 15 acres each, completely cleared out

within a mile of the centre, as well as innumerable small areas further afield. The City Corporation has given the buildings damaged at 30,000. ... At least 20 big towns have been somewhat similarly damaged.” s , ,