WARNING NOTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 23 June 1943, Page 5

WARNING NOTE

GREAT BATTLES AHEAD ALLIED VICTORY CERTAIN VIEWS OF U.S. GENERAL New York, June 22. “This is the most critical summer in the world’s history. The enemy’s initial advantage in men, guns, ships and planes has been overcome and we have seized the initiative,” said General Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, addressing a governors’ conference in Columbus, Ohio. “Furthermore,” he added, “probably the most important of all, we have secured a base for unity of action. In the battle of Tunisia we had a perfect example of co-ordinated leadership and the skilful application thereof in Tunisia gave us an invaluable pattern for the future, but the tasks will be increasingly difficult. With the great hazard of overwater approach and the heavy battle beyond the beaches the way will be far from easy. Losses will be heavy but victory is certain.” General Marshall said Pantelleria was an experiment for which there was proved to be a sound and logical basis, but Pantelleria was unique because of the character of the island, the quality of the garrison, complete naval control of the surrounding waters and the proximity of Allied airfields. The victory of Tunisia was favoured by overwhelming airpower but it would have been a stalemate without aggressive ground and naval action. “Bombing may hammer an adversary to his knees but he will recover unless a knock-out blow is delivered by ground forces,” added General Marshall. ,f One of our great puzzles is how the Japanese can stand the beating they are taking in the air. Their ordinary losses run from 30 to 75 per cent, with very moderate losses of American pilots. Furthermore, the Japanese suffer continuous losses of grounded planes, losing on an average one destroyed on the ground to one in the air. An encouraging aspect of the situation to-day is that we have men trained and guns, tanks, ships and planes in constantly increasing numbers. The Russian forces grow steadily more formidable presenting a constant terrible threat to the bulk of the German army. There is steady improvement in the equipment and training of the Chinese forces. There can be but one result unless the enemy succeeds in creating internal friction among the Allies, dividing one against the other, leading to public loss of confidence in the war effort.”

General Marshall urged the governors to check sudden waves of optimism leading the public to feel that a great effort had been accomplished and the end is in sight. “This is far from the case. We are just getting well started. Great battles lie ahead. We have yet to be proven in the agony of enduring heavy casualties and reverses inevitable in war.”—P.A.