The Waikato Times THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1940 VULNERABILITY OF ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21138, 13 June 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1940 VULNERABILITY OF ITALY

Italy’s active participation in the war has at least put an end to the ghastly pretence which for the greater part of a year has cost Britain and France dearly. Though Italy technically has been neutral, the knowledge of the danger has compelled the Allies to maintain a great army on the Franco-Italian border, a large part of the British and French fleets in the Mediterranean and a great body of soldiers spread across the Middle East. Ever since the war began last September those forces have been chained to their posts just as effectively as if Italy were at war. Those troops could otherwise have been employed to smash the German offensive long before now. Italy's hostility to the Allies has indeed been of great assistance to Germany.

Another important fact was that Italy was responsible for a wide gap in the Allied blockade of Germany. That gap has now been closed. Italy will find both ends of the Mediterranean Sea closed at once to her shipping, and her economic existence will be closely circumscribed. No other important nation, excepting possibly Japan, is so dependent upon imports for vital needs as Italy. Most of the minerals necessary for the manufacture of war materials, particularly coal and iron, must come across the sea, and for that reason Italy’s economic position is extraordinarily vulnerable unless she can gain command of the seas. Mussolini will cry in vain to Germany for assistance with such supplies, excepting that Germany may be able to spare some coal.

From the military and naval points of view also Italy is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. In the first place the whole of her shipping can be confined to the Mediterranean by the blockading of the Suez Canal and the Straits of Gibraltar. The only means of escape for her naval or merchant ships will be in her own fortified harbours, which themselves will be subjected to attacks from the British and French fleets. The Allies do not lack strong forts, aerodromes and naval bases throughout the length of the Mediterranean. Loss of control of the sea will be disastrous for the Italian people, for then their long coast line will be laid open to attack. Like Germany, Italy can only hope for a quick victory before her reserves are exhausted and disintegration sets in at home. Fortunately, Mussolini’s declaration of war contains no element of surprise. The Allies have had nine months to prepare their strategy, and that time has not been wasted. The Italian attack on the French frontier is laid in difficult terrain which the French should be able to defend successfully. Italy’s access to Germany over the Brenner Pass is difficult and wide open to aerial attack. Switzerland

stands in a precarious position between the two dictatorships and will be very fortunate if it escapes the horrors of war. For some time Swiss territory has been violated almost daily by German aeroplanes, and now the temptation to use that means of communication will be much stronger. Finally, the reputation of Italian soldiers and sailors as fighting men is not above reproach. Soon they will be subjected to the most searching test.