Evening star., 1941-10-02
Two Fronts Still Haunt Nuzi:
Allies Must Be on Alert to Attack
At ANY Point Where Germans Are Weak

mans Are Weak
North America; by the drain on
German oil supplies as against
British command of inexhaustible
resources in that respect, and by
the demands of other fronts on
German man power and raw ma
terials. The German high COM
mand may we'll hesitate at any
direct assault on the citadel Of
Great Britain, lacking air superiority
and without any hope of gaining
command of the sea. Such an at
tack would certainly be one Of
desperation. Yet the Germans
must make increasing efforts to
cut of the sources of British power,
those sea-borne lines of supply
between arsenal and citadel which
are so vital to the defense of the
latter as well as to the development
of offensive power therefrom.
A Amove into Spain, however, would
demand very little air support, and
for that purpose Germany has
enough troops even If the tormented
Spanish people rose in arms to
resist, which is highly uncertain.
The purpose of such a move would
be to contain and neutralize the
fortress of Gibraltar, thus depriving
Britain of her only base in the
Western Mediterranean; subse-
quently an incursion into North
Africa might be attempted, with the
end in view Of establishing solid
Axis control not only of the
Western Mediterranean, but of the
African shore line clear down to
the Gulf of Guinea. This would
immensely extend and complicats
the problem of the defense of vital
sea lanes in the Atlantic by the
British and American navies. 1t
would be another phase of the age
old struggle between land power
and sea power.
The Libyan forces of the Axis
could not, however, venture to at
tack Egypt without strong air sup
port; indeed there is no certainty
that they may not be themselves at
tackled, may not have to call for
air help from Germany at a mo-
ment when it may be inconvenient
to give it. Likewise, an attack on
Turkey would demand powerful air
support for an indefinite time.
Fixed Factors Named.
Assuming, therefore, that the
Germans do pass temporarily TO the
defensive in Russia, they must, in
considering any offensive move else
where, begin their estimate of avail
able forces by writing off certain
fixed charges:
ID Enough air strength to give
proper support to their defensive
armies on the Russian front.
(2) Sufficient fighter squadrons
for the West to deal with the Brit
ish bombing attacks, with a reserve
in hand in case of large-scale Brit
ish raids on the continent.
90 Bombers and long-range
fighters to keep up the attacks on
British shipping.
a. A reserve of bombers to be
rushed to any threatened point on
the Russian, British or African
fronts.
This does not leave a very large
margin for new enterprises. On this
basis of calculation. a move into
Spain is possible, even into French
North Africa unless really strong
American opposition makes its ap-
pearance at that point. An attack
on Turkey is likewise possible,
though more dangerous. Libya re-
mains uncertain, with the Axis posi-
ton questionable.
One salient fact emerges: the basic
principle of the opposing Anglo
American-Russian strategy must be
to maintain and increase all of these
fixed charges, while gath eri n g
strength for an offensive at any
point where German necessities
cause weakness to develop. The
maintenance of the Russian air
force, the gathering of air-striking
power in Great Britain and the
Middle East, measures for the Sc
curity of West Africa, the air patrol
Of the North Atlantic sea lanes, are
all part of this picture, as well as
the Far Eastern area--where the re-
tirement of Japan ss a potential
danger would release considerable
air forces for other uses.
Once again, let us realize that this
Is world war in which American
position, resources and power are
becoming increasingly decisive.
(copyrisht. 1e41, New York Tribune. Inc.)