The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1941. THE GERMAN PEOPLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 189, 13 August 1941, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1941. THE GERMAN PEOPLE

J7OR the first lime in their experience the German people of to-day have become aware what it means to wage a modern two-front, war. Bismarck, in 1870, warned Germany against becoming involved in a two-front war, lint in 1914 the whole of the German nation supported the Kaiser in that terrible adventure. In his speech from Ihe Throne at I lie outbreak of the war, the Kaiser said: ‘‘For me parties no longer exist; lor me there are only Germans.” The people responded and the Reichstag voted the war credits almost unanimously. It was not until 1917 that internal difficulties developed, and then because of the hardships and deprivations suffered by the German civilian population. What is the position to-day? Hiller could say equally with the Kaiser: “For me parties no longer exist; for me there are only Germans.” Because Hitler had, before embarking upon a war policy, already assured himself that no other party but his own existed inside Germany. If it took from two and a-half to three years for the Left Wing parties to become troublesome in 1917. will it take about tlie same period for trouble to boil up within the Reich to-day ’ It is not easy to answer that question, lint the bombing of Berlin by both British and Russian aeroplanes brings the question forward for consideration.

In the first place, it has been made clear that while engaged on the Eastern front the Gorman Air Force has been unable to continue major activities on the Western front. A two-front air war presents considerable difficulties for the defenders. The defence of a capital city against bombers is to be achieved by putting up relays of interceptor fighters from the frontier backwards. Tlie defence of Berlin against an attack from the West calls for a large number of lighter planes. To duplicate these relays of fighter planes toward the Fast as well vill throw a double strain upon the Luftwaffe, in respect to tlie tiring of men. wear of machines, and the consumption of oil. The distribution of available lighter planes both east and west of Berlin will reduce the general efficiency of the defensive air force of the Reich, and so tlie conclusion appears to be justified that air raids over Eastern Germany will increase from now on, and that Berlin will be subjected to more continuous and more severe assaults in the future.

Making comparisons with the experience of tlie German people during the last war, it is clear that they are now being subjected to direct attack, whereas they were quite immune previously. The German people, however, arc- tough in fibre and should be able to stand the strain of bombardment from the air as well as did the British, and Berlin should equal London in the ability of its people to accept punishment. The comparison between tlie German people ami the British in respect to their withstanding the war strain is subject to an important qualification—the relative condition of the two populations at the commencement of hostilities and now. The German people have been living nuclei* abnormal conditions since

1920. Hitler may have restored their pride to the German people, but he has also imposed upon them severe physical and psychological strains. The continuous mobilisation before the war disrupted the country’s business. Since the war the rationing system has permitted a meagre, but what is believed to lie adequate, diet to be iniantained for all classes. Recent reports of harvest conditions indicate that supplies are sufficient for civilian needs. Tlie German populace is also immune from the depressing fact that America is aiding Britain lo the extent that it is, simply because the German people do not know it: precisely. too. the alignment of the Dominions with the United Kingdom does not depress the Germans, because they are entirely ignorant of the fact. The Hitler regime made a major point of the success attained by aligning Russia with Germany ’to prevent a two-front war developing. The campaign against Russia, when it did commence, could not be denied. Tlie lie was too big to be believed. A quick smash through was promised. It is still being attempted. The Russian air raids on Berlin were reported in that city as British raids, presumably with the object of minimising the dreadful implications to Berliners for the future.

Germany's health bill has shown a marked deterioration in recent years by reason of this rationed diet and high psychological strain, whereas Britain’s health bill during the war has actually improved. Further, there are the internal psychological stresses operating inside Germany. The Nazi regime admits that it has a large recalcitrant population to watch and to be on guard against. There has always been the fear that the trades unionists and tlie Communists (who registered a poll of 11,000,000 votes when Hitler attained to power) will attack from within, and will execute desperate acts of sabotage. This fear grows as the Russians show their ability to penetrate German air defences.

Filially, there are those who ponder upon the significance of the flight of Hess ,o Scotland. Their minds, disturbed by that incident, are agitated by the eclipse of Germany’s other trusted leaders under the Fuhrer. The popular Air-Marshal Goering, the man with the brilliant 1914-18 war record, the Father of the Air Force, has been eclipsed. Himmler, the Gestapo police chief, is in the ascendant. The Government is fast moving to the position where its attitude toward the public is one of pure coercing, and coercing is the quickest solvent, of loyally.

Taking all these factors together, it can he said that the German people are being subjected to many more adverse influences than they were in 1914-18. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that they will crack in a shorter period than they did then. It would be unwise to take it for granted, but there is a strong probability that tlie German people’s morale will be seriously and severely shaken during their forthcoming winter of 1941-42.