POWER IN ARMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19915, 18 April 1939, Page 5

POWER IN ARMS

RUSSIAN MIGHT

TANKS AND AEROPLANES

RESOURCES OP GERMANY

UP TO 300 DIVISIONS

ESTIMATES BY. AUTHOR

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn. (Independent Cable Service.) (Reed. April 18, 9 a.m.) LONDON, April 17.

Newspapers publish .lengthy reviews of a (book entitled “Military Strength of the Powers," by Max Werner, believed to be a pseudonym. Competent military authorities state it is a remarkable book and the figures appear fairly accurate.

Mr. Werner’s main thesis is the invincibility and efficiency of the Russian Army, which he states is equipped with at least 10,000 tanks. He classes the 'Russian Air Force as the strongest and most expert in the world. IHe says .that liitHftussian- Air, Force numbers at least 16,000 machines.

He declares that in the event o war, tire British and French Mediterranean fleets would be able effectively to blockade Italy and practie ally destroy her colonial empire. Strength of Maginot Line

The book draws attention to the enormous defensive power of the Maginot Line, 'but says that the French Air Force is unduly weak, while the French tank force is scarcely adequate to meet that of Germany.

iMr. Werner speaks of the German army with greatest respect. He suggests that Germany could ultimately mobilise 300 divisions, though only 100 would be first-line troops, while he is doubtful whether equipment would be available for all. He estimates that Germany has 7000 tanks. The German Air Force, he says, is also .most powerful. The German aim is to have 8000 to 10,000 planes by 3940.

Despite this strength, he believes that a war on two fronts would Again spell Germany's doom.