SHOULD HAMMER ITALY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21822, 27 November 1940, Page 5

SHOULD HAMMER ITALY

Lessons Of Greek Campaign Must Not Rest On Laurels British Official Wireless (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 25. Discussing the causes and possible consequences of the defeat inflicted by the Greek forces which culminated in the capture of Koritza “The Times” says: “The Italian soldier in general is emotional and easily becomes a prey to despondency. If all had gone well he would doubtless have over-run Greece and been pleased to picture himself as a conqueror. But the shock of unexpected resistance was too much for him because he has not the necessary store of enthusiasm to nerve himself to meet it. That is why it will pay us well to hammer Italy and the Italian forces with all the means in our power before the lessons of the battlefields of Macedonia, Epirus, Taranto and the Thames Estuary have been given a chance to hide. While Hitler may not be sorry that Mussolini has been taught his place and made to realise how helpless he is without Germany’s assistance, it is improbable that he will allow his partner in the Axis to be too seriously humiliated without intervening. But intervention by means of ground forces can only be carried out either by the violation of the territory of Yugoslavia or inducing Bulgaria to admit his forces, perhaps by an attack on either Greece or Yugoslavia itself. A campaign against Yugoslavia is never one to be lightly undertaken. There is no certainty that Bulgaria will lend herself to such Ignominy—back the wrong horse a third time in succession—but we have seen elsewhere of what an unscrupulous minority backed by Nazi influence from outside is capable. The season is unpropitious. Hitler doubtless will prefer to await the spring if the Italian need is not too pressing. Our own difficulties are still very great but as the position stands, however, it may develop that we have already derived benefit from the courage of our ally and our own preparedness to take advantage of the opportunity afforded us. We must not rest on these laurels, because there is much to be done and there may not be much time to do It in equally favourable circumstances.”