Evening star., 1940-06-05
Outcome Of War
May Hinge on Second
Phase Of b|itzkrieo
Hitler Appears Headed
For Quick Victory or
Swift Defect
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE,
Associated Press Foreign Affairs Writer.

The outcome of the war likely
hinges on this second phase of
Hitler's "blitzkrieg," which was
launched at dawn against the Allied
left wing in Northern France.
We couldn't say that of the bat
tie of Flanders. woodworking
though it was. But this may easily
prove to be the decisive engagement.
If the Allies can stand up against
this new onslaught-nott to talk of
throwing it back-until its fury is
spent, they will have advanced their
cause immeasurably, even though
they have to give much ground.
But if Hitler is able to achieve his
announced purpose of crushing the
French armies, which are the Allied
land bulWark, just as the British
Navy is the bulwark of the seas, then
to all intents he will have estab-
isned his position in continental
Europe.
1t is difficult to see how Britain
single-handed could GUST him once
he conquered France. - - ..
The Allies have made it clear that
they are expecting to see more dark
days before they see better, and
they undoubtedly will. That doesn't
mean that they are whipped, for
they are not, but they are in for
some tough sessions. Certainly the
world will be forced to witness an
other blood bath.
Heads for Quick Decision.
When the Nazi chieftain set his
great war machine rolling again
this morning he headed for quick
victory or defeat, for he hasn't re-
sources for protracted struggle. It
won't be long now before we can see
the end of the road.
The full scope of the Nazi drive
wasn't apparent at the outset. The
initial assault was against the Allied
positions on the Somme and Aisne
Rivers along a front of 125 miles
between the English Channel and
the vicinity of Laon All this area
west of Amiens on the Somme saw
some of the f1ercest fighting in the
World War.
1t looked very much as though
the Germans were headed for Paris
by way of the well-trodden valley
of the Disc.
The Allied front in this sector has
been newly consolidated and
strengthened under command of
Generalissimo Weygand. Over a
considerable stretch of the line
under attack this morning the Allies
had the Somme River between them
and the enemy, and at numerous
strategic points the Allies also held
on the northern bank of the river
bridgeheads which had been taken
during the last few days.
These advantages the Allies will
need, for the Nazi assault was de-
scribed as violent.
Brunt Falls on French.
The brunt of the land fighting
must, of course, fall on the French,
since the British Expeditionary Force
as a whole was temporarily put out
OF action in the battle of Flanders.
If the French can hold the onrush
for a bit, the English will be able
to reorganize and get reinforcements
to their colleagues.
There has been no indication that
Hitler intends to try his invasion of
England now. Indeed, it would be
the widest sort of gamble to under
take such an operation before the
Germans have consolidated their
positions in Flanders and have re-
conditioned the Channel ports.
There can be little doubt, however
that Hitler will order intensive
bombing of Channel shipping anc
British ports and industrial areas
The English will have to fight theil
way across the channel against the
Nazi airforce in order to carry aic
to their allies. AS to hammerine
British industrial zones, the Ger.
mans thus far haven't had much
success in getting by the anti-air.
craft defenses and British fightins
planes.
However, destruction of British
industries, ports and shipping i!
essential if Hitler ultimately is tt
achieve his ambition of crushing
England and putting his troop!
ashore. So one would expect some
heavy assaults against Britain by
air in conjunction with the often.
sive against the French.