VITAL INITIATIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25735, 5 January 1945, Page 3

VITAL INITIATIVE

STILL WITH RUNDSTEDT ALLIED PROSPECTS BRIGHTER (N.Z.P.A! Special Correspondent) - - - - LONDON, Jan. 3. Von Rundstedt still retains‘the initiative on the Western Front, but Allied prospects of regaining it look better, in the opinion of military correspondents commenting on the position. The Dally Telegraph’s commentator, Lieutenant-general H. G. Martin, observes that General Patton’s Third Army, driving into the southern flank if Rundstedt’s blunted salient in the Ardennes, is meeting very stubborn resistance. Patton’s objective is possibly Houffalize. As could be expected, Rundstedt is showing increased activity all along the front, with the-probable objectives..first, of discovering what regrouping the Allied command has carried out; secondly, pinning down the maximum Allied strength in sectors of secondary importance.

General Martin adds; “It is unlikely that Rundstedt has further large reserves uncommitted with which to mount more major offensives. Though we have had one unpleasant awakening, twe should be wrong to conclude that he can continue to produce new armies like rabbits from a hat.’’

He continues that Rundstedt is apparently determined to cling to his bridgeheads in the Vosges, and also in the Maginot Line, through the Hardt Mountains around Bitche. He would thus be well placed when opportunity offered to threaten the Seventh Army’s communications by concentric pressure towards Saarburg, a process which he now has undoubtedly begun.

General Martin considers that there is considerable German activity of an amphibious nature in the Utrecht-Dordrecht-Rotterdam area, and in the Maas estuary and the islands. He thinks this can only have Antwerp as an objective, and adds: “Here, again, however, Rundstedt can scarcely hope to accomplish more than a diversion.” The Times military correspondent remarks that the news from the Western Front is still too indefinite to give a pointer to the enemy’s intentions. “ What is taking place in the Ardennes salient might either be the preliminaries of a German withdrawal to a shorter line or a concentration for a renewed offensive." -He adds: “While it is not yet possible to asses the importance of the German thrusts in the Saarbrucken region, this is a sector in which aggressive action might be expected. The Germans know that the forces of the American Third Army .have been shifted round in some strength to the south side of the Ardennes salient. They are eager not only to take advantage of this weakening 'of the Saar front, but also to hamper General Eisenhower's liberty of action and prevent him from regaining the initiative.” The • correspondent comments that much movement has been reported over a period of several days behind the German front. Rundstedt has revised, his, plans,'and has been obliged to do so earlier than he can have expected. “In a really successful German offensive the ‘ breather ■ does not come nearly as quickly as‘it has here, but German leadership has Always excelled in bulge tactics, and the enemy may still hope to make more out of the position. “This will not remain as it is, and the change is likely to come soon now. But with both sides sparring, as they are, he would be' a bold man who would prophesy what form it will take. We have not yet regained the initiative, though our prospects of doing so look better.”