The Waikato Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1940 IS WAR NEARING CLIMAX?

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 4

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1940 IS WAR NEARING CLIMAX?

Britain has been warned of the possibility of an immediate attempt at invasion—a possibility that must have been apparent to every man who has watched the steadily growing violence of the German aerial attack. Yesterday was “der tag” for Germany, the day that the United Kingdom and the Empire were, according to Hitler’s plan, to have fallen under the domination of the Nazis. From the fact that the plan has miscarried, British people are entitled to draw certain inferences. This is the first time since his aggression began that Hitler has failed to reach a major objective according to schedule, but it will not be the last. Hitler has miscalculated his strength, or rather the determination and fighting ability of the British. There is no doubt that he expected Britain to collapse before his threats.

Germany, it may be assumed, had August 15 in view when the recent large-scale air attacks were launched. The Nazis believed, as Hitler and Goering had told them, that nothing could withstand the fury of the onslaught when Goering touched the button that would release his clouds of aeroplanes. But those hammer blows have been struck and Britain remains unshaken. Indeed, she has struck back lustily and inflicted heavy losses on the attackers. In his fanatical pride in keeping to his timetable, why did not Hitler send greater force to subdue Britain ? Is he striking to the limit of his ability within the bounds of reasonable safety ? There is reason to believe that his air force has disappointed him because it has not prepared the way for an invasion by hordes of Nazi troops. .British strategists have held that aeroplanes alone cannot bring victory to Germany or any other Power. Germany has entertained the delusion that her air force* would succeed as a weapon of terror that would compel Britain to surrender. That strategem is failing and will fail. Therefore the Nazis must depend upon some other weapon. What will they choose, or have they already chosen ? The sea must be crossed if Germany is to win, and it is Britain’s business to know, and she probably does know, the methods that Germany intends to employ when it is found that Britain cannot be panicked into surrender.

As Mr Anthony Eden says, while Britain holds the fort at home and prepares for eventual attack, it is wise to take a look at the map of the world, for this is a world war and not merely a matter of crossing or failing to cross the English Channel. Certainly the Channel is by far the most important stronghold, but elsewhere there are many developments which will have a great influence upon the development of the war. The great empire which Germany and Italy have gathered within their clutches is held together by fear alone. There will come a time when desperation will be stronger than fear. Already there are ominious rumblings. Albania is in revolt, France is being reduced to a state of utter chaos and the grip of the mailed fist is slipping in other directions. But Hitler must hurry on, and he is still dangerous. Fear is driving him too—fear that the great unweildy empire will get out of hand. The man who has control of the modern engines of war has an enormous advantage over the mob — temporarily.