TO INVADE GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 28 September 1940, Page 6

TO INVADE GERMANY

TANKS, PLANES VITAL DE GAULLE’S THEORY LONDON. 16th September. Like highly-placed British authorities. General de Gaulle, leader of the “free" French forces, regards the Battle of London as merely a phase of the war. He considers that the battle when it is won by Britain will have been the prelude to the invasion of German territory. General de Gaulle, who 10 years ago saw disaster ahead for France if France continued to neglect large-scale mechanisation of her army, now foresees great successes to be won by the Allies bv t’he fuller use of mechanisation against Germany. General de Gaulle’s beliefs are rej counted by Mr James Marlow, author l of “General de Gaulle’s France and the Key to the Coming Invasion of Germany” (which has just been published). General de Gaulle is convinced that Britain will win the battle for Britain and that “the time is not far distant when the Germans, strung out over thousands of miles, will become warweary and sir :k.” Far from their homes, General de Gaulle considers they will become exhausted and even fearful when they learn of the evergrowing power of the forces pitted against them. “This is the time when we must attack,” he contends. MACHINES, NOT MEN When that time comes, General de Gaulle says, we must not attack with an expeditionary force in battle dress carrying rifles at the slope, but “with tanks and guns, and more guns and tanks, and thousands of aeroplanes—tens of thousands of aeroplanes.” Mr Marlow interprets this terse summary of General de Gaulle’s views of the means of a successful invasion of Germany as being also a solemn warning to Britain that efforts in the production of this mechanical equipment must be far beyond anything yet attempted, because General de Gaulle maintains that it is only through the mechanisation of all the fighting forces that we can give them the greatest possible striking power and the utmost mobility—hitherto the chief assets of the German army. THREE QUESTIONS ANSWERED General de Gaulle was asked: — “(1) Is invasion of the countries now occupied by Germany or of Germany itself feasible? “(2) If so, is it possible rapidly to transport to the Continent in sufficient numerical strength armoured divisions and mechanised forces to effect this invasion?

“(3) What is the value of an auxiliary arm, of parachutists for invasion of Germany or the countries occupied by Germany?” General de Gaulle replied: “Yes, military invasion of the Continent is practicable if the offensive force possesses naval and aerial superiority sufficient to make sure of a deep bridgehead for transporting the advance guard to territory well prepared by the Air Force, and to guarantee continuity of transport and supplies by sea and air.

“There can be no doubt that, after the bridgehead has been established, the mechanised land forces —tank division—operating in conjunction with the Air Force, alone will be capable of proceeding to the attack and pursuing the offensive as occasion offers

“There is no question that, in order to establish the bridgehead and continue the offensive, the use of parachutists on a large scale will be imperative. Generally speaking, such operations are possible as soon as the enemy shows signs of becoming exhausted through blockade or other reasons.”