Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-09
Expect Nazis
To Abandon
SmoIensk
Winter to Force Reich
10 Form New Lines
BY PAUL MALL0N

BY PAUL MALLON
NASHINGTON, Sept. "a
W sharp shrinkage in the
Nazi offensive war plan in Rus
STA has been detected by military
authorities here in Hitler's ef-
fort to readiust his line for the
Winter.
Hitler seems trying to dig in
considerably back of his further
most point OF advance in the
center. He may give up Smo-
lenSk. thus clearly abandoning
any hope of reaching Moscow
this Winter.
Gomel also is likely TO be re-
leased. These two points lut
deeply into the Russian lines,
but probably have been too
thinly stretched to warrant their
retention.
Hitler's aspirations in the
north seem 10 have been linn
tied TO the capture of Lenin-
grad. Little further activity
north and east of that city is
anticipated here.
THE strongest Nazi effort is
L supposed 10 continue in the
Ukraine. where the line (they
hope) may be extended over 10
the Donat River. This is flat
country suited 10 mechanical
warfare in Winter weather. If
the Germans can reach a point
running somewhat east of kiev.
southeast TO the upper Donat
and from there down the river
TO the Black Sea they cannot
expect more. This would leave
them short OF the valued Cau-
casus oil fields where the Brit
iSh are planning to move in TO
a line with the Reds.
All these new elements Of the
of course may not be
maintained. In the current type
of warfare military authorities
have suffered heavily in attempt
ing TO evaluate the prospects
from day 10 day. Yet
they clearly suggest sharp
of the most important
WHERE does if leave Hitler?
w AS far as most military
advisers here can see, he may
be stopped for Winter.
The Reds appear to be in no
condition TO launch an
offensive campaign. They have
merely shown so far that they
have developed a successful de-
Tense against the blitz, the COB
let type of defense. which does
not attempt to block mechanical
thrusts but draws them in and
abSorbs them. Invasion of Ger
many is therefore not considered
possible.
No one here seems TO think
the altered situation forecasts
an early end of the war. At
least no government authority
IS making any preparations in
that expectation.
The British meanwhile are
preparing for heavy action in
Libya within 30 days. Ninety
per cent of our lease-lend ma
terials the past few months has
been going into that area. With
Hitler over-committed in Russia.
the British have an excellent
chance of driving the Italians
and Germans out OF northern
Africa.
I UNPLEASANT accusations are
~ still flying around the inner
atmosphere between the OPM
and the war department. with
the lend-lease officials Ginning
in also.
The controversy. growing in
creasingly bitter. centers in the
natural desire of the war de-
partment to get all the equip
ment ii can for the army and
the working of the other gov
eminent departments 10 get
everything possible for Britain
and Russia.
Gen. James II. Burns. one Of
the Presidents top leasor-lend-
orS. has been heard To complain
he cannot arouse any interest in
the war department for aiding
Russia at all
On the other hand. the war
department cannot find any
where enough materiel for the
coming grand scale maneuverS.
Trucks will have to be used as
make-bclieve tanks. Yellow flags
will represent anti-aircraft guns.
The war department will natu-
rally be blamed.
Two solutions are being urged
among officials. One is further
extension of subcontracting.
solution to which Mr.. Roosevelt
has called Floyd Odlum. the New
York financier. The other would
require establishment of new
department of supply which
would take defense ordering out
of the hands of the war DEPART
ment and OPM.
Naturally neither the war de-
partment nor OPM desires this
solution and therefore its pros.
poets of being adopted are re-
mote