The Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1942. THE ALLIES' MANY FRONTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1942. THE ALLIES' MANY FRONTS

|T cannot be too strongly stated that the Allies have not one, but several, fronts over which they must exercise care so that the enemy does not gain the ascendency. The first and most important land front is in Russia against which the Germans arc now preparing their major attack. The second is west of Egypt and it is here that the Italians expect that the British will be making some determined move against the forces in North Africa. , The third front is in Burma, where the Allied troops are making a valiant rearguard fight. But there is also in existence a fourth front anil that is in Northern Australia, where the Japanese advance southward has, for the time being, been arrested. Each of these fronts is of relative importance to tne other and this relativity is likely to change with the changing tactics of the enemy. When considering the relative importance of these battle areas it must be understood that the objective of each side in the contest is to wrest the initiative from the other. Initiative is important because the side which holds ii can dictate the campaign of the other. It is not possible to lay plans purely on a defensive basis because defence, in present conditions, is not enough. A purely defensive strategy would give too much liberty to the opponent. Russia is obviously the largest, and for that reason the most important front. Conditions are not yet suitable for a full-scale German offensive, but this operation has apparently already been launched in its initial stages by the offensive in the Crimea. It is to be expected that the conflict will flare up along the line northward, but the probability is that the Germans will concentrate upon the southern portion of the front in the hope of reaching Rostov once again, thereby opening up the possibility of an invasion of the Caucasus. Such a movement, if successful, would bo of great advantage to the Germans, for it would not only deprive the Russians of the oil from that district, but it would offer the prospect, of cutting, off the supply line which is based on the Persian Gulf. The Japanese driving from Burma across India could, again if successful, link up with their allies and provide them with the tin and rubber that they so sorely need now. It is imperative for flic Allies to keep the two main Axis partners dissociated from each other, and to that end the army which is now based on Egypt has an important role to fulfil. It must keep the Axis pincers from closing. The Japanese, following a policy which suits themselves rather than that which serves the Axis as a whole, may determine to pusn against Australia with vigour in order lo eliminate all prospect of the Island Continent becoming an American base of operations. As things arc now such a policy would suit Japan admirably . Germany is keeping Russia busy, thereby providing Japan with immunity from attacks based on VTadivosiock, Japan is pressing along the Burma Road towards her main objective in this war, which is the dominance of China. The occupation of Burma is not. likely to lie disputed for sonic time because of the poverty ot the land communications with India and Hie preoccupation of the Allies in other theatres of war. If the Allies find themselves exhausted they may be compelled to acquiesce in Japan s fait accompli in Asia. India may offer a rich prize to Japan, but it would prove to be a turbulent one for a country with the task of governing China against the will of its inhabitants still on its hands. If these considerations are viewed in this light by the -lapane.se then the prospect of an attack upon the North Australian coast must he expected. The establishing of a second land front in Europe will not affect the situation in Australia and it may, in given circumstances, operate as a handicap on the defence, oi Australia. The policy now being pursued by the. American and British (tovernments is lo provide Russia with the maximum 01. Supplies in order to prevent her manpower being sacrificed to no purpose. Tliis policy absorbs as many German soldiers as it is possible to do lust as much as would a policy of establishing another front, in j-Tanders Meanwhile, according to reports from Rome to Sweden the British are strengthening the Egyptian Front in order to meel a forthcoming offensive in North Africa. The continued attacks on Malta can only spell Axis activity in North Africa when the sea lanes across the Mediterranean are relatively safe from British attacks. The determined attack upon the four 'ritish destroyers in th" iiaslerii Mediterranean spells the same answer. The problem before die Allied commanders, therefore, is to hold these three essential fronts and to strengthen them against, attack with the object of launching campaigns from them in the near future.