“THE COMPLETE WAR”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 9

“THE COMPLETE WAR”

A GERMAN GENERAL'S BOOK

Gerrnanyl’s greatest leader in Hie last war, General Ludendorff, lias just outlined what must be done to’ win a future war in his hook, “Der Totale Krieg” (“The Complete War”), reports the Berlin correspondent of the London “Observer.” Discusing the blunders of the last war, Ludendorff says that German defeat was due to the lack of a single unifying army control. In order to wage a successful war, declares Ludendorff, the whole strength of the nation must he mobilised. Complete unity between army and people is needed. Trade and industry, all food supplies, finances, propaganda, must all he subject to the same rigid iron discipline as the army itself. A declaration of war is a waste of time, he goes on, and it sometimes unfortunately brands the nation who makes it. When the war is to begin the whole nation must be mobilised on the first day. Ludendorff then paints a picture of this efficiently prepared and gigantic military machine marching forward to conquer the enemy successfully. Significantly, Ludendorff does not pay excessive attention to the air arm, but still clings to the vital importance of land forces. Ludendorff’s great point, however, is that all national forces must come under the control of the Supreme Leader of the General Stall’. He regards this as the essential condition for success. Ludendorff is less sure of his ground when he deals with the people’s morale in war-time However, he feels confident that an efficient propaganda machine —under control of the military —will be able to repair the havoc caused by hunger and military defeats.