Evening star., 1941-07-31
War Without the BIitz

Whatever may be the eventual
outcome, one thing is certain: The
Germans have not succeeded in
quickly crushing the Russian Army
by their specialized tactics known
as blitzkrieg or lightning war" This
nicely co-ordinated Synthesis of
combined air fleets and motorized
Spearheads with artillery and infan-
try follow-ups worked to perfection
in Western Europe and the Balkans,
and did moderately we'll in North
Africa. But in Russia, after good
start, it has slowed down to what
is at least a temporary stalemate.
The "blitz" factor is not evident in
this campaign Even the Germans
tacitly admit this and say that other
tactical methods are being employed.
Whether the German high COM
mand foresaw this possibility is, Of
course, impossible to say. Certainly,
the earlier military communicates
made claims which have proved un-
founded or greatly exaggerated.
There is good reason to believe that
the German generals undereStimated
the Russian Army as much as did
American military critics, most of
whom thought that within six weeks
the Wehrmacht would win a mill
tary decision" in the sense of break
ing up and dividing the Russian
forces even though their final de-
struction might take considerable
time. Yet, with the war well into its
seventh week, Russian resistance
is unbroken and counterattacks are
launched, meeting the strongest
German assaults.
This, in itself, is a grave setback
for German plans. The Germans
are operating in Russia on a limited
timetable; not necessarily the six
weeks "blitz" span suggested by the
military critics, but one imposed by
nature herself. That natural time
span is about three months, from the
start of the campaign In the latter
part of June until the equinoctial
season toward the end of September.
Then begin the heavy autumn rains
which turn the Russian plains into
a sea of mud. A month later come
the frosts, and then a series of
freezes and thaws equally handi-
Gaping transportation and move
ment of troops. Finally, the stern
Russian winter settles down. fol-
lowed in turn by months of thaws
and mud until the late spring. The
Russians are right in their tradi-
tional proverb that General Winter
and General Mud are their best
commanders.
With time thus running swiftly
against them, the Germans are
bound to make superhuman efforts
to get a military decision before
autumn. Vast reserves of men and
equipment are being brought up and
thrown into the titanic struggle,
which is undoubtedly the most ter
rible the world has ever seen. But
the Russians are likewise we'll sup
piled and seem equally careless Of
losses. Instead of retreating, they
appear determined to face up to the
Germans and slug it out. Mean
while, the casualties on both sides
must be enormous and mounting
continuously from day to day.
Even though the Germans ulti-
mately win a decisive victory, they
must emerge from the struggle much
weakened in every respect. Further
more, the legend of the Wehrmacht's
invincibility has been already COM
promised. The world now knows
that, with the proper training, equip
ment, leadership and morale. other
armies can confront the Wehrmacht
on substantially equal terms. The
cream of Germany's man power and
equipment Is now being squandered
recklessly on the Russian plains.
Those losses can never be fully re-
placed, since the Reich's resources
are limited.