The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. 1941 BRITISH PEOPLE EAGER FOR ACTION

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21534, 24 September 1941, Page 4

The Waikato Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. 1941 BRITISH PEOPLE EAGER FOR ACTION

The fall of Kiev and the Nazi menace to Leningrad and Odessa have emphasised the gravity of the Russian situation and the need for all the aid that Britain and the United States can give. The British press is unanimous in its demand that no possible avenue of assistance to Russia shall be left unexplored. That is the state of public opinion throughout the Empire. Precisely what Britain can do must be left to military and economic experts and the leaders of the Government, but the pressure of public opinion should be useful in showing that those who are chiefly concerned in this “people’s war” are ready and anxious to make their contribution and will be quick to implement any policy of action initiated by the Government. “No other such ally can ever appear in the Old World,” says the London Times. “No other army that can face Germany's full might can replace the Red Army if that is overthrown.” That is precisely what the public feels. In the knowledge that it has always been Germany’s policy to deal with her enemies one at a time, there is a certain impatience lest Britain should fail to give the Russians adequate support so that Germany would be compelled to fight two great adversaries at the same time. Amateur strategists say this is a heaven-sent opportunity to redress the balance that was upset when France collapsed. That balance consisted of British strength at sea plus a large expeditionary land force, coupled with the great French Army, which was regarded as the finest army in the world. The fall of France bereft the Allies of a great part of its strength on land; the recruitment of Russia has given back the balance of manpower. 1 There are substantial differences, however. Britain and Russia are on opposite sides of Germany and the avenues of contact are exceedingly limited, which to some extent offsets Germany’s disadvantage in having to fight on two fronts. Germany is now bringing the greater part of her strength to bear on the eastern front, leaving, it is alleged, only second-class troops to guard the western front. In these circumstances the British public is asking for action or, alternatively, that it be taken more freely into the Government’s confidence. Full disclosure of the British strategy is, of course, impossible. That there is a definite strategic plan to win the war is beyond doubt, and criticism must be tempered by the knowledge that the Allied leaders are men of experience and ability and, what is most important, they are in possession of information which is almost a closed book to the public. The public is far too apt to look only at the immediate problem and to become elated or impatient accordingly. Those upon whom the responsibility falls most heavily must take the long view and plan for final victory. Often they must swallow criticism and remain silent. Mr Churchill has said that Britain will be fully prepared for a war-winning drive at the end of 1942 or in 1943, and that opinion has been supported by leading men in the United States. Of course the peril of an ally must cause a temporary diversion from the long-term policy, and such a diversion is being made. Britain is sacrificing much of its own armament programme to ensure that the Russians shall not want for equipment. What other plans resourceful leaders have in hand will be disclosed in. due time. Criticism may be useful and even justified but patience and steadiness are also necessary.