The Waikato Times TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1944 CZECHS’ PROSPECTS OF RESCUE

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22320, 11 April 1944, Page 2

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1944 CZECHS’ PROSPECTS OF RESCUE

Russia’s promise to drive the Germans out of her territory has almost been fulfilled as Jar as the southern half of the front is concerned. Contact with the territory of Czecho-Slovakia has been established in an offensive of great strategic and historical importance. The call has gone out to the Czechs to rise in active resistance to the German armies of occupation. If there is an efficient underground organisation in Czecho-Slovakia, that portion of the German defence lines may be thrown into confusion simultaneously with the assault upon Rumania. The Russian flag has been planted on the crest of the Carpathians and the roar of Russian guns is echoing into the valleys of Czecho-Slovakia, Hungary and Rumania. Can the Germans hold the mountain chain? The fact that in some places the Russians have reached the peaks suggests that this eastern rampart of the Reich is in imminent danger. Czecho-Slovakia was one of Germany’s earliest victims. The inspired howls of the Sudetan Germans provided the excuse for the Nazis to march, and Czecho-Slovakia was sacrificed to gain time for the Western Powers, who were pitiably unprepared to challenge Hitler’s demands. Memory is still green of these events of more than four years ago and it will give intense satisfaction to all the United Nations if Czecho-Slovakia is among the first to be freed from the Nazi yoke. Unfortunately the Czechs still have to face the horrors of the retreating wave of war, but they will be inspired with hope that the end of their ordeal is in sight. It may be long before Czecho-Slovakia is entirely free because the long, narrow country stretches far back toward the Reich. The Germans may attempt to drive the Czechs before them if they can maintain a cohesive front, but every mile gained will release some of the oppressed people to add their weight to the armies of vengeance.

That it is Russia and not the Western Allies that has first came to the relief of Czecho-Slovakia is a factor of some importance which, however, should not be misrepresented. Geography has much to do with it, although it is true that the Russians have driven the Germans back over hundreds of miles of conquered and reconquered territory to reach the border of Ruthenia. But Russia came into the war fully prepared. She even had an alliance with Germany, now well understood, while she armed and while Britain and France were enduring the agony of appeasement while endeavouring to arm themselves. It was, of course, almost a physical impossibility to save Czecho-Slovakia from German occupation, but because of all the ghastly circumstances it would have been a great source of satisfaction if the Western Allies could have shared more fully with Russia the relief of a wronged country. But Britain has nothing to be ashamed of in what she has done since she resolved to fight, and she will applaud the Russians and joy with the Czechs in their prospect of early relief from'a long and terrible ordeal.