Imperial Valley press., 1941-10-07
Today's
War Moves
By Louis F. Keemle
of the United Press
War Desk

Hitler'S Moscow drive. which now
appears TO be the most concentrated
he !aS yet mace against Russia
and ON a IL: larger scale, is likely
to prove the supreme test of his
bllt2krieg poWe..
Russia apparently anticipated the
attack and disposed her forces to
meet it, Hitler is reported to have
thrown 100000 men into action,
with as many in reserve, and a vast
force of airplanes, tanks and mech
anizcd units.
That tremendous striking power
is concentrated on a stretch of less
than 400 miles of the 1,800-mile
iqucs OF either side, in which place
RuSSsian resistance before the enc
Of this month, when winter begins
If Moscow is not taken by then
it Is likely to stand for the VIM
ter or beyond.
In the first impact OF their on
slaught, the Germans undoubtedly
have made advances, as was to be
expected. How deep the penetra-
ton is. however, cannot be deter
mined from the guarded commun-
iuueS OF eitehr side. in which place
names and specific details are
omitted.
RESULTS VAGUE
Hence there is no clue yet to the
course of the battle. In their pre-
ViGus main attacks such as the
triumphal march through the out
cr buffer deftnses. the smash be-
vond Smolensk and the drive On
KharkOV. the Germans made rapid
initial progress. Then they were
slowed up by the retreating tactics
Of the Russians, who rolled with
the punches and were always there
when the enemy pushed deeper 10
to their territory.
such tactics, part of the Russian
military credo, may be expected
again IN the defense OF MOSCOW.
Early German successes would not
necessarily point to a swift march
into Moscow, barring totally un-
expected Russian collapse,
MAN POWER VITAL
A lot depends on whether the
Russians can come close to match
ing the Germans in manpoWer ana
equipment. They probably can III
manpoWer, without unduly weaken
inc their positions in the north
and south Whether they can 40
it in equipment and supply is not
certain. They have the advantage
of shorter and better organized
communications and interior hneS.
The prospects are that the oe-
Jcia,on will come early, probably
within, three weeks. After such
urodi9iouS effort. it does not seem
possible that Hitler would be aple
ia rcorganize his forces for another
such drive in the winter.
II the decision is favorable TO
Russla-that is. If Moscow stands
Hitler will have suffered de1eaI
and be let in for busy winter
in the north. It will tie up enough
nf hi, forces to hamper the strength
of his operations in the South' anu
virtually preclude any activity III
western Europe. 1t must be remem-
bprca that Hitler has large forces
held on the comment to guarQ
AGAINST a general uprising by the
reballious people of the occupied
countries.
III HITLER WINS
T. Hitler wins his bold gamble III
the north. he will be closer TO holu-
INC tie whip hand over Russia, al
tho,lph the latter might continue
in the field. He then could MAKE
mis- plans for operations IN thc
south, including the Near East ano
north Africa. ,.:,o
Either way the present DRIVE
turns out. it is bound to nave an
effect on the course OF the whole
war. Even if Hitler wins It, ne
would .lave difficulty oreanlzlns
for a real campaign in the Near
Fast before spring. The British 40
not expect it before tnen. II HIT
Ter loses it, the delay is even more
certain