The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-07
| War Moves ON
Today's Board
BY J. w. T. MASON
UNITED Press War Expert)

The third day Of Hitlers efforts
to capture Paris shows the battle to
be still in its preliminary stage. The
Germans have begun taking pre-
cautions to guard against fianking
movement too quickly in the direc-
ton Of Paris from the scissors Sa-
lient. The new German offensive
against the Chemin Des Danes
Ridge has this purpose in mind. The
Ridge, because Of its proximity to
scissors and the Oise-Aisne Canal,
would dangerously menace the left
wing of German drive for Paris
along the short Disc route.
German movements to straighten
their Somme front have had initial
success In the Abbeville region.
Elsewhere the reports are conflict
ing. The most important part of the
line to be Strengthened is in the re-
gion from Amiens southeastward to
the scissors Salient. Operations
that have been proceeding in the
areas of Peronne and Ham are
contributory to this objective.
Belligerents Secretive
Both belligerents show reluctance
to announce in detail the progress
of the fighting. Such hesitancy is
always accepted as indicating mu-
tuel uncertainties concerning the
development of strategic plans. 1t
continues to be apparent, however,
that the German thrusts have not
shown the great power of the drive
through Belgium and are much
more cautiously directed. 1t can be
concluded from this fact that the
German high command did not
wait long enough to refresh the
armies that had been driven so hard
in the Flanders fighting before Or
dering the attack against Paris.
The Germans were justified in al
lowing their troops little respite be-
cause every days postponement of
the Paris drive would have given
Weygand that much more invalu-
able opportunity to strengthen his
defenses. Nevertheless 1t must be
recognized that a considerable part
Of the German attacking forces are
still recovering from the intensity
of the Belgian and Flanders often
sive while the French troops are
much fresher. If he battle becomes
long drawn tfnsA difference should
have some Importance in determine
ing the outcome.
Tank Infiltrati0ns
German official reports Of pro-
gress all along the line must refer
to tank infiltrations, which have
broken through at number of
places. 1t is an axiom Of the new
use Of tanks, however, that unless
they are quickly followed by motor
lied infantry and then by the far
larger units Of foot infantry. their
value Is only temporary. 1t Is nee
essary for the German infantry to
break through in great numbers
before the march to Paris can as
sumo the proportions OF a major
thrust.
The tanks getting into the French
lines will have increased value, how
ever, II the German operators have
been trained In individual fighting
The French premier, Paul Reynaud,
In his book, THE French Military
Problem" written two years before
the war started, analysed tank war
fare, pointing out the multiplied
difficulties Of tanks during a hard
fought battle. He added: Situations
will be infinitely varied and the
crews, almost always isolated, will
have to contribute constantly n
large sum Of skill and individual
initiative. In consequence, they
must form an elite, technically and
morally" To what extent the Ger
man tank operators have been
trained in individual initiative and
moral stamina will be shown as the
drive for Paris continues.