SURVEY OF WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 4

SURVEY OF WAR

SUCCESS IN NORMANDY ALLIED GENERALSHIP PROBLEMS FOR GERMANY (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13 "The Battle of Normandy is over, and the Battle of 1' ranee has begun," says '"Strategicus" in the Spectator. He expresses the opinion that the American advance in Normandy has "been as amazing as anything which this surprising war has cast up." He adds that it is now impossible to ignore the skill with which the Allied commanders conducted the Battle of Normandy. "They played the left for the advantage of the right," he states, "and unleashed armour where it faced tho freer aroa in order to exploit it." Destroying U-boat Bases "Strategicus" says that in tho development of tho offensive tho Allies are looking to the speedy nourishment of their armies in France, not only by securing ports through which ingress should be most convenient from the United States, but also by finally destroying in those ports tho main bases from which the U-boat campaign lias been waged. The next few weeks, this writer considers, will bo critical for von Kluge and for the whole German position. "It is remarkable that at this critical juncture when the strategy which has inspired Hitler for over a year is in ruins," he adds, "that tho modern Nero should be staging this cautionary play on the honour of the German Army. "it is even more remarkable that only now should ho be setting his people to dig trenches for the defence of Fast Prussia. However, it is most remarkable of all that his spokesmen should ho appealing to tho example of Britain in the trying days of 1940." East Prussia Probably Written Off Captain Cyril Falls, in the Illustrated London News says: "I believe the Germans have already written off East Prussia as at least temporarily lost and the sarao may be true of the Balkans.. In Italy if they are forced out from their line of defence above the Northern Apennines they will, in all probability, retreat to the Alps. In the Balkans they are now in an awkward situation. "If it had not been for their extreme optimism and underestimation of the capabilities of their opponents," he continues, "they would probablt have abandoned the Balkan countries some time ago and drawn back to the Danube. Such a move would have set free forces of considerable strength with which to oppose the Russians. Now, however, the Danube has become an almost impossible line." Long-range Russian Design Captain Falls says he thinks the Russians are now forcing the Vistula above Warsaw with the intention of wheeling up to tho north through Warsaw in the direction of Danzig. At tho sanie_ time thov will probably try to force their way to Memel, isolating Prussia. The direct advance from the east to the frontier of East Prussia may not for the time being be pressed so hard, but tho province will none the less be doomed. Captain Falls asks what the Germans will do next if they still intend to continue the fight. He suggests that their sole last hope of resistance would appear to be the line of the Oder and the Carpathians, which would mean tho abandonment of Pomerania as well as East Prussia. "I need hardly say," he concludes, "that I do not mean the Germans would consent to any such sacrifices except under the most heavy pressure. They would fight wherever they could,.' per-r haps especially on the lower reach of the Vistula, always hoping for some accident on the . Russian side, or some extra strain which would render the complete programme unnecessary. Tho same would fipplv to a withdrawal to the Alps in Italy." FOREIGN POLICY TALKS ROOSEVELT AND WILLKIE NEW YORK, Aug. 12 Tho New York Times says it has learned that President Roosevelt has invited Mr Wendell Willkie to confer with him about United States foreign policy after the former returns from his Pacific trip. Mr Roosevelt's invitation carefully dispelled any possible implication of a partisan motive. The President made it clear that he did not desire to compromise Mr Willkie's position in relation to the Presidential campaign, adding that nothing relating to the campaign would he discussed. Mr Willkie has publicly disapproved of the Republican platform on foreign policy and has so far refrained from supporting the nominated Republican candidate, Mr Thomas E. Dewey, for the Presidency. It is understood that Mr Willkie is only one of a number of persons whose views are being solicited regarding the course the United States should follow after the war. FEDERAL REFERENDUM PROSPECTS IN AUSTRALIA (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY. Auk. 13 The Federal referendum campaign on wider powers for tho Commonwealth Government, to be held next Saturday, is being waged with an intensity of public feeling which was not equalled in last year's Federal elections. Tho issuo will be decided by about 4.500,000 voters—who as yet have given no reliable guide to their intentions. Most political observers feel that the referendum has about a fifty-fifty chance. In the past referendums containing a total of 20 proposals have been submitted to Australian electors. Seventeen of the proposals have been defeated. The Minister of Supply, Mr J. A. Beasley, last week told Australians that post-war reconstruction plans involving an expenditure of more than £400,000,000 were dependent upon tho referendum. The items included: £160,000,000 to settle 50,000 ex-service-men on the land, £3.000,000 for social services, £200,000,000 for national works, and £30,000,000 for the building of homes. In face of the main "No", argument, that,the passage.of •the will mean the signing away of much individual liberty, the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin;. has< repeated his pledge that compulsion in manpower control will end after the war. The president of tho Constitutional Association, Dr F. Louat, one of Australia's foremost constitutional lawyers and an ardent opponent of all forms of bureaucratic control, is supporting tho referendum. Ho said: "The essential point about tho proposed amendment to the Constitution is that it leaves untouched the people's right to choose their own rulers every throe years." AUSTRALIAN MANPOWER (Special Australian Correspondent) SYDNEY, An*. 13 Tho Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, announces that the resignation of the Commonwealth Director-General of Manpower, Mr W. C. Wurtli, has been received with groat regret. Tt is understood Mr Wurth will retain his position until tho manpower reassessment has been completed. Finality is not expected until the end of September. Mr Curtin says he is receiving the warmest co-operation from the Services on manpower adjustments. BENGAL FAMINE INQUIRY LONDON. Aug. 12 The inquiry commission into the Bengal famine, headed bv Sir John Woodhead, a former acting-Governor of Bengal, has arrived in Calcutta, says tho British official wireless. The commission will commenoe work todajv |