Hitler’s Aim Is To Crush Poles Quickly

Northern Advocate, 7 September 1939, Page 5

Hitler’s Aim Is To Crush Poles Quickly

Received 12 noon.) LONDON, September 6. MILITARY CIRCLES BELIEVE THAT HERR HITLER’S STRATEGY IS AIMED AT CRUSHING POLAND BEFORE BRITISH AND FRENCH PRESSURE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON THE WESTERN FRONT. ; Success in a lightning: war is problematical. They consider the Poles ba.ve done well to block bhe tempo of the German advance in view of their strategic disadvantage. It appears that the German idea of smashing Poland in two or three weeks is destined to fail. /There is not the slightest indication of a collapse of the Polish army. On the contrary, it is carefully withdrawing its main, forces within natural strategic defences east of the Vistula and the Bug. Meanwhile the army is fighting obstinate delaying actions.

Polish Strategy.

It is expected that the Corridor, if it is not severed already, will be quickly severed, although a garrison is holding the outposts on the Hela Peninsula and Westerplatte.

It is believed that the Germans cannot go southward further until their flanks are protected. A Paris message says Poland’s strategy is to weaken and confound the enemy by progressive retreat until the Poles reach their fortified lines. Fixed Battle Suicidal.

It is explained that it would be suicidal for the Poles to engage in a fixed battle in view of the superioity of German man-power and equipment. The basic feature of the Polish plan is quick movement. Each change is designed to force the Germans into abrupt and costly change of plans. Thus the retreat is according to plan. The invaders will be forced to pay heavily for their frontier advances.