A LONG ROAD AHEAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25090, 4 December 1942, Page 3

A LONG ROAD AHEAD

HITLER NOT DEFEATED YET HUGE FORCES AVAILABLE NEW YORK, Dec.- 2. P.M.’s military commentator says: “The battle of the Mediterranean has not begun yet. Naturally, the nextmove is secret, but there are obvious limited objectives which would simplify the invasion of Europe either through Italy, Southern France, or the Balkans. The occupation of Sicily and Sax-dinia, and possibly of Corsica, ax-c vital requirements, and after the capture of Tunis and Bizex’ta a smashing air offensive against Sicily and Sardinia can be expected immediately. “ The current wave of optimism is a natural reaction after years of Allied setbacks, but it is not entirely justified. The North African coup was a victory of major proportions, but silly predictions of ending the war by January do not make sense. Hitler has 300 divisions of the finest ti’oops in the world in Europe and the world’s most powerful air force, and holds a central position, on which it will be a Herculean task to defeat him. Hitler is a long way froxxx being licked, no matter how good things look.”