“Second Front” Often Misleading Phrase

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1944, Page 5

“Second Front” Often Misleading Phrase

(Received 1.45 p.m.) (8.0. W.) RUGBV, March 12. Mr. C. R. Attlee, .speaking at Exeter today, referred to preparations for a great attack against the Nazi forces, but added that the phrase "second front.” was often misleading. "One would imagine that there was only one front note —that on which our gallant Allies, the Russians, are driving the enemy from the soil of Russia. Their armies have inflicted defeat after defeat on this terrible machine, the German army, blit when this war started there was another terrible machine, the German air force. That machine is now suffering heavy defeats by the British and United States Air Forces. Night after night and day after day the Germans are experiencing attacks which their lighters cannot ward off. Industrial plants, which form the handle of the Nazi spearhead, are being shattered. In the air warfare there is no front on which the defenders can feel secure. But in land warfare., great battles are also being' waged. In Italy, where the weather has been our hindrance as much as the enemy, -a bitter battle is proceeding. Large forces which Hitler could ill spare have been brought down to Italy to stem British and American pressure. Important forces are engaged on either side! The drain on German air power and land forces has played its part in helping successes on the eastern front.

Mr. Attlee, surveying the Pacific, said: “Our kinsmen in Australia and New Zealand and our friends from the United States have long- since turned defence into attack."

Speaking of post-war plans Mr. Attlee said: “‘We have to think of the rehabilitation not only of Britain, but of Europe and the whole world.”