The Polish Campaign

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 4

The Polish Campaign

A LTHOUGH it may be too soon x to decide that the lightning blow against Poland has failed, it is at least possible to believe that th 6 Nazi attack is losing its first momentum. Heavy fighting has been taking place south-west of Warsaw, and German observers have expressed the opinion that the fate of the capital depends on the result of this battle. According to reports from reliable sources, however, the Poles have reoccupied Lodz and are making counter-attacks intended to prevent the junction of the two German armies converging on Warsaw from the south and the north. In a campaign of unusual mobility the position is likely to change rapidly. But it seems fairly clear that the retreat has ended for the time being, and that behind their shortened lines the Poles are making an organized and deterrhined resistance. According to a report from a correspondent with the German Army near Radom the Nazis have suffered from 12,000 to 15,000 casualties, “mostly in the last two days.” This indicates that the nature of the fighting has changed from guerrilla skirmishes

with motorized columns to a series of battles at salient points on the main sectors.

Fighting for Time ’

The quality of the Polish armies will now be tested under.severe conditions. British people are naturally anxious to believe that a nation fighting for life on its own soil will be able to drive back the invaders. Perhaps the best that can be hoped for is that the Poles will succeed in prolonging the war until the pressure on Germany’s Western Front forces the Nazis to transfer their crack divisions to the Siegfried Line. Herr Hitler’s military advisers must know that once this becomes necessary the Polish campaign will settle down into a long and indecisive struggle. Their strategy appears to have been based on the intensive use of mechanized forces, and unless they can win a quick decision they may find themselves at a disadvantage. So far they have had good roads and mild weather to help them; in the rougher country of the Lublin plateau and in winter storms the initiative might pass to the Polish cavalry. Although a message from an Italian correspondent emphasizes the tragic losses of men and horses in fighting near Warsaw it should be remembered that the value of cavalry in a rugged terrain is the mobility it confers at times when motorized columns are unable to make headway. Cavalry regiments can fight dismounted: they can also move rapidly to take up new positions where opportunities occur for counter-attacks. It is possible that if Warsaw can hold out against heavy bombardments (and the Spanish civil war proved that cities are not easily captured) the Nazis might have to move troops from the important southern sector. When all these facts are considered it seems probable that the German leaders will attempt to force the issue in largescale engagements with the Polish armies. If the Poles can hold their own in the battles now raging or impending in the west and south they should gain valuable time in a campaign where time is a vital factor.