The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-09-03
WAR INACCURACIES


some of which must be wrong.
Russia is crushing the German
army, the German army is crush
ing Russia, and so along the route
OF propa ganda, little of which We
can believe. \ possible guide may
be found in comparing present mill
tary moves with those of the past.
For examp two historic invasions
OF .-ussia from western Europe,
one by Napoleon and one by Adolf
Hitler present a remarkable
parallel.
Napoleon attacked Russia on
June "a. 1872. Hitler attacked on
June p, 1871. Both expected to
win a complete victory before au-
tumn.
Napoleon and Hitler both had
conquered most OF Europe with
the exception OF Great Britain.
Both were baffled by British sea
power.
Both Hitler and Napoleon had
had treaties of expediency with
Russia, which they violated when
the time was ripe.
Hitler. with two-day start and
the advantage Of mechanical equip
is1eHt,- entered SHioiehsk in mid
July, Napoleon didn't get that far
until mid-August.
Napoleon entered Moscow on
Sept Il. Today is Sept. and
Hitler is still about 225 miles away.
Russia was the beginning of the
end for Napoleon. 1t led TO Water
loo and the triumph OF Britain.
The Russian winter and the Rus
sian tactics OF retreat, Counter-at-
tack, guerrilla lighting and 'scorch-
ed earth" policy combined to de-
feat Napoleon in 1919. The Rus
slams are using the same tactics in
1871.
In 1872. Napoleon was riding
high. He had conquered three
fourths Of Europe and was out TO
destroy Britain.
Then, as now, British sea power
barred the way 10 a direct assault
on the islands.
There was no air warfare then.
Napoleon had to decide the issue
on the continent just as Hitler Is
trying to do now. The continental
blockade OF British trade was Ma
poleons weapon. To make the
blockade complete, he found it
expedient TO subdue Russia. He
had no relish for the difficult Rus.
sian campaign, but he deemed it
essential for the destruction OF
Britain.
There was an incongruous alli-
Rnce between Napoleon and Car
Alexander. but both were arming
against each other.
In the present war the same
situation existed. Hitler bought
Russia of with q non-aggression
treaty. Russia gained time, nearly
two years, as It turned out, to pre-
pare against the German attack.
This time she was able to fling
defense outposts into the Baltic
States and Poland TO stem the
rest Of the wave before 1t reached
Russia.
Napoleon called his invasion a
crusade against Russian imperial
ism. He was the defender of the
freedom Of the European nations,
including Poland. which ne had
conquered, against Russian agrees
sion. Car Alexander said he was
the champion OF the nations sub
jugated by France.
Hitler raises the banner OF a
crusade against Bolsheyism. while
Russia presents herself as the de-
fender OF freedom against Nazi
aggression.
One departure from the parallel
IS that in 1872 the United States
declared war on England-not TO
aid Napoleon but to defend the
freedom OF the seas In this wa
the United States is aiding Eng
land and Russia too.
Napoleon raised a grand army
Of perhaps 100000 TO coo, 900 men,
in part recruited from Prussia,
Austria, Italy and other conquer.
ed nations. He crossed the Me
men River into Russia June a
1912, entered Smolensk in mid.Au
gust and reached Moscow Sept. IA
Cold and hunger awaited him
Communications were oyer-extend
ed. He couldn't feed his men and
the Russians had "scorched" their
Russian earth. Napoleon deserted
his army in mid-Noyember. Only
a few thousand ever saw France
again.
The Nazis have tacitly admitted
that a winter campaign is in pros
pect. According to the Hamburger
Fremdenblatt, Napoleon blunder
ed In not stopping at Smolensk and
waiting for spring. As far as de
velopments indicate, Hitler is pre-
pared to 90 ahead despite the on
rush OF winter.
Napoleon's losses were estimated
at 100000 dead OF wounds, disease
hunger and cold, 10000 captured
and 100000 missing. Russian
losses were placed at 100000.
Russia claims that Hitler's losse,
TO date are 100000 including /,
100000 killed.
II the German loss Is even hal
OF the Russian claim II is bis
enough TO start breakdown IL
home morale and there IL one d
the chief hopes for Hitier's defeat