INVASION OF TURKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 227, 26 September 1941, Page 4

INVASION OF TURKEY

THE invasion of Turkey by Axis troops is a possibility which cannot be ignored. Germany’s intentions in this respect arc masked because the problem is tied up with that of North Africa.

The North African venture demands Axis attention: either the defence will have to be strenthened to resist the forthcoming attack from Egypt, or that attack will have to be- anticipated by the Italo-German force taking the initiative. From the standpoint of the British an Axis attack upon Egypt is to be preferred as setting au easier task. Fending off' such an attack would involve the maintenance of the shorter lines of communication than would be involved in developing a wide attack upon Eastern Libya. Further, the former operation would provide greater opportunities for counter-attack. Fresh Italian troops and supplies have recently been shipped to North Africa and the increase in the number of supply ships which have been destroyed by British submarines and bombers operating in the Mediterranean bespeaks an increased cross-sea traffic. This should indicate movement in North Africa. -

North Africa is an unfavourable terrain for the Axis forces, and the Army of the Nile has been brought up to a high qualitative standard. Its striking power should be very great by now, and this fact is not likely to be ignored by the German High Command. An attempt must be expected to create a diversion for the Nile Army so as to divide its strength. Irak and Iran having been eliminated by the timely intervention of Russian and British forces, and the Vichy French in Syria having been removed, there is no prospect of a near-at-hand diversion beingcreated on the east of Egypt. An attack upon Turkey in Europe would suit the German purpose admirably, for with Crete in their possession and the Dodecanese in Italian possession, Axis bombers would be well placed to operate against shipping moving northward to the support of Turkey. An Axis attack upon Turkey would compel the British to go to the assistance of their ally, and this aid could best be given from Egypt. If this aid were so given, then the primary objective of reducing the strength of the Nile Army, as compared with the- Italo-German forces in North Africa, would be achieved.

With the foregoing prospective commitments in view, it is not to be wondered at that the British High Command in the United Kingdom is not enlarging its commitments at the moment by making a landing in force somewhere on the west coast of Europe.