RUSSIA'S CHANCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 13

RUSSIA'S CHANCES

"NOT TOO OPTIMISTIC"

BRITAIN'S GROWING STRENGTH (0.C.) DUNEDIN, Friday "I do not think we should be too optimistic about the results of Russia's stand against Germany," Sir Evelyn Wrench, founder of the Overseas League and the English Speaking Union, stated in an interview. "The war on the eastern front is all to our advantage, in that it is helping to use up Germany's oil supplies and wearing down her army and Air Force," he said, "but unless Russia can retreat with her armies more or less intact I do not think it will be very long before Hitler has achieved his objectives. Meanwhile, the attack has given us a welcome respite, for I feel sure that if we can hold out for another three months we shall win. And we certainly shall hold out." Describing the great strides Britain had made in bringing her army mechanisation and Air Force to formidable proportions, Sir Evelyn said that Britain should have just about reached air parity with Germany, and should be superior in air power by next Easter. By May of next year, he said, the army would be so well mechanised as to be ready for anything. "The coming winter in Europe is going to be a difficult one for Germany," Sir Evelyn stated, "for it will be the third winter the Germans will have to face. Our air offensive will grow in depth and intensity as the days go by, and this winter our aeroplanes, operating from Britain, will be able to bomb industrial centres far into Eastern Germany. If Russia holds out long enough, Eastern Germany will also have to stand up to heavj raids from that direction. The army in Britain is being trained up to the last detail in modern warfare, and it will be ready for whatever it is called upon to face."