NAZI BLUNDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 7

NAZI BLUNDER

ATTACKING POLAND FIRST WAR STRENGTH REDUCED . ■ —r* j • HARDER TASK IN THE WEST LITTLE HOPE OF SUCCESS (United Press Association) (By Electric Teicgrahp—Copyright) ' NEW YORK,. Oct. 11 (Received Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.) The New York Times correspondent (Mr H..M. Archambault) in, a message from ; Paris' says; “ The Rhine-Mo§elle situation is such that the question is not, will the Germans engage in a general battle, but can they do so with any reasonable hope of success.” A competent French reply is in the negative, and the reasons given can be summarised as follows: First, strategic, because of the uncertainty of the British-French action. -The Germans initially 7 blundered by attacking Poland, which was the weaker opponent, and thus giving stronger opponents time to mobilise. A concentrated, lightning attack against France instead of against Poland might have altered the situation'entirely. Now, instead of entering the west overwhelmingly superior, the day . can be sighted when the Germans may be inferior. Secondly, man-power. Hitherto the British and French losses have, been negligible, while it is believed* that German casualties in Poland represent, in rifle strength, twelve divisions. The maximum force available on the western front Is estimated at 100 divisions, apart from armoured cars, and the actual striking force at 50 to 60 divisions, whereas the Kaiser had had 120 divisions at the outset. , Thirdly, possible action zones arid the possibilities of the offensive use of man-power being limited, to attacks on the Rhine-Moselle. front, on a line between Lauterbourg and the Swiss front, or through rieutfal countries, which are mobilised, and which are all stronger than in 1914. Mr Archambault adds that a frontal attack on the Maginot Line would be most costly and probably Inconclusive. A “ blitzkrieg ” (a lightning attack) was predicted on the preponderance of material, but the Polish campaign.reduced that preponderance also the proportion of German raw materials, which, coupled with transportation difficulties, lead the technicians to estimate that each German combatant will require 10 to 12 employed in the rear, compared with the Allies’ five to seven. Fourthly, aviation. The French are most gratified at the excellence of the Curtiss and Morarie planes, which are fully equal to the Messfirschmidts, the warlife of which is very brief, requiring six replacements annually. , It is doubled whether Germany is in a position to maintain, her war strength. She needs 6000 planes, estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 tons annually,, and it is doubted whether the German stocks will stand the strain. Fifthly.. . transportation. The Reichbank reports a lameritable picture with a dearth of rolling stock and many unrepaired lines. , NAZI GOVERNMENT A PLAGUE TO EUROPE . (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.) An agency telegram .from Paris cites M. Henri Bidou, the military expert of the paper L’lntransigeant as stating that war methods, must conform with the political ends of the war. Replving to those who say that this is a funny war, he writes: “It is a question of dissociating the German people from the Government, which through its iniquities* its tricks and its abuse of . power, has. become a plague for the whole of Europe. The first thing is to enlighten the German people. The action of the British, airmen in scattering millions of tracts in Germany is an excellent war operation.”' NAZI PUSH IMMINENT MASSING TANKS ,AND ARTILLERY PARIS, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 11 p.m.) Front line despatches say that the Germans are massing tanks and heavy artillerv between the Rhine and the Moselle in sufficient numbers. to launch an offensive. Experts interpret yesterday’s lull as meaning an imminent push.