GRIM TASK AHEAD

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22204, 25 November 1943, Page 6

GRIM TASK AHEAD

LAST BLOWS AT GERMANY (Official Wlrelessi RUGBY. Nov. 23 “The German: could in the past asscmcle more divisions on any front tnan f be United Nations could possibly land in three weeks.” Lord Croft, joint Under-Secretary of State for War. declared, when speaking in London. • “Next month or next year that may nc longer be t*uehe added. “We may be able to fight on something like equal term and shipping may become- a\ ailable to open up a great new venture, which will be bloody and test us as nothing nas yet, but most certainly it will be undertaken and pressed through to victory. Every hundred miles that the enemy was driven back, however, the nearer the circumference of defence was brought to the bases and reserves, and the more easily the Germans would be able to supply the firing line and switen reserves speedily by ra;l from the centre to any threatened point. The Allies could only reach the enemy over seas, and to effect fresh lodgements on a defended coastline, as Salerno and Dieppe proved, was a costly and difficult operation, demanding a very great concentration of men and shipping

This showed that what was probably by far their grimmest task lay before the Allies, for a fierce wounded animal was far more dangerous when defending its lair than when 1000 miles from home. The most desperate and perhaps final phase was yet to open. Of the outcome he had no doubt, but it required the concentrated will-power, determination and valour of the whole people in support of the fighting men.