Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-28
-HitlerDrixe
On England
Likely Soon
But He May Press On
Toward Middle East
BY PAUL MALLON

WASHINGTON Aug Is
" Signs are rising over Europe
that Hitler may turn away from
Russia in September, after
greatly weakening Red powers
OF resistance with his current
blows, and shift his air force and
much of his strength for a drive
on Britain and defense of West
ern Europe against the day Of
a second front.
He can either do this land
confront us with a much more
formidable array of power
there) or try TO break through
the Caucasus. overrun the Near
East and attempt to crush Allied
resistance in that whole part Of
the world, including Egypt.
4 WINTER change Of fronts,
"A however, seems a plausible
and logical expectation, in view
of two developments. the pro-
spective weakness of Russia and
Hitler's need TO defend his Ger
man cities from the terrific air
bombing that they have been
getting-and will receive, in in
creasing winter force.
Indeed, if Russian resistance
is sufficiently weakened, he
could maintain both fronts at
once, because he could then
spare the bulk of his air power
from the Near East attack,
where long Allied lines of sup
plies prevent concentration of a
major force.
In this connection. suddenly
the other night Goebbels' Berlin
radio started blaring the news
around the world that the Allies
are to open second front
through Dakar and Northern
Africa.
This was no doubt a feeler to
find out what would be done, but
it sounded also as if such step
might upset or hinder the plans
that Hitler is supposed to
have for a winter concentration
against Britain.
In any event, no one here is
telling him anything.
THE winter spects, OF
l. course, hinge on the weak
ness of Russia and the situation
on that subject is easy to see.
The Reds have had time to
erect some earthwork and con-
crete protection in depth around
Stalingrad, but the ground is not
well suited to defense.
II is level in general, and no.
where near so formidable a nat
ural barrier to the NaZi advance
as Leningrad and Moscow pre-
scented.
Industries have been moved
out Of the city. up toward Sara
tov and kuibishev. and even
deeper into the Urals. but the
facts of Russia's desperate trans
portation, manufacturing and
food situation must be faced.
To add to her transportation
difficulties, one-third of her rail-
roads are already gone.
Most of her richest fields are
now in Nazi hands, and a food
shortage is in prospect this
winter.
Four-ffths of her normal oil
supply will be lost to her when
the Germans cut the Caucasus
routes of trade, through the
Black and Caspian seas.
Only one-tenth of her oil lies
safe behind the Urals.
The main fight for the rich
Baku oil prize, however. is ex-
pected 10 come after Grozny, on
the narrow land bad) roads
over the foothills, southwark
from that point to Baku.
This Caucasus line is more
important than Stalingrad.
If Russian defense can be
strongly maintained there. the
Near East is relatively safe.
If the Germans break down
Timoshenko's resistance on that
front, they can roll right on
through the Near East, endan-
gering Egypt and all Allied re-
slstance in that quarter of the
world. cutting our southern ac-
cess to Russia.
All these facts together, at
this date, while the battle still
RACES, mean Russia is weaken
ing, may grow weaker during
the winter.
They mean we must face
greater power on any second
front, that every passing mo-
ment increases our difficulties,
that the best time for it has
already gone.
Naturally, however, we cam
not start II until our military
men think we have enough
power 10 win il.
4 SECOND front will no