THE SIEGFRiED LINE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 6

THE SIEGFRiED LINE

MAY HAVE TO BREAK IT. SIR HUBERT GOUGH’S VIEW. LONDON, Dec. 19. The belief that under "proper conditions” the Allies could break the Siegfried Line is expressed by General Sir Hubert Gough, of Fifth Army fame. His personal view, he said, was that rather than let the war go on for years and years the Allies might have to undertake the task of breaking the Siegfried Line. He thought that under proper conditions the Allies could do it, but it could be done only after proper steps wore taken to ensure victory. Those steps were that during the time of wailing and preparation they should build up a powerful army, collect it. strengthen it, train it. and call, not only on the manhood of Great Britain, but of the whole of the Great At the same time, they eiust have an overwhelming Air Force. Sir Hubert said that photographs that airmen had taken showed that the Germans, 15 to 20 mites behind their present line, were building another quite as strong as the Siegfried Line. He maintained, however, that it was the men and not the walls that mattered.