Evening star., 1942-10-27
London Halls
WiIIkie Plea
For2dFront
Bottle Of Egypt
FoiIs to Arouse
Man in Street
By Dewitt MACKENZIE.


LONDON, Oct. 27.-WendeH VIII.
kie,s address to the Nation is receive
ing much attention in the London
press, and it is significant of the
trend Of considerable section Of
public opinion here that the re-
iteration of his demand for second
front in Europe gets a special dis
play.
That is to say, the opening Of the
great Allied offensive in Africa does
not seem to have dimmed the belief
in the necessity of action in Western
Europe to meet the call of Russia.
Undoubtedly, the reason is that
the man in the street is aware that
only this direct assault on the conti-
nent can force Hitler to withdraw
great strength from the Eastern
front.
The offensive against the Axis in
Egypt is most heartening exhibi-
ton of Allied initiative. Moreover,
it represents one of the vital battles
of the war. Control of the Medi-
terranean and the Middle East are
involved.
Attacks on Germany Needed.
The battle of Egypt, however.
presents curious anomaly. Hitler
might win the war by gaining con-
troll Of this strategic Mediterranean
area. But the Allies can't win the
war solely by retaining control. They
must, in addition, strike directly at
the heart of Germany.
That is not matter of argument.
| The Allied high command recognizes
the necessity of hitting Hitler
through Europe and has promised a
second front there as soon as feasible.
The decision must be made by the
high command, but public interest is
centered on when the feasibility is
likely to arise.
Now there is to my mind only ono
answer to that. There can be no
major invasion with a land army
until the American and British Air
Forces based in Britain have pre-
pared the way by bombing Hitler's
war industries and communications
into such a state of devastation that
he will be close to impotence.
This point was emphasized in
previous articles, but it is of such
vast Importance that it cannot be
overworked.
1t would mean mass slaughter Of
Allied troops for us to try to land
a great army before our combined
air froces had ironed out the conti-
nent. 1t would be inviting a dis
aster which might hand the war to
Hitler on platter.
Bigger Raids Needed.
However, this preparatory work
can be done rapidly if we get on
with the job Immediately.
Obviously, the arrival of the time
when it will be feasible to open this
great second front must depend on
how soon our bomber fleets get into
action. '"F-'.='
They have been doing some won-
derful work lately, but they must
have additional planes If 1000
bomber raids are to become regular.
Those heavy raids which can Wit
tually wipe out city at one blow
are the kind which will take us to
our goal fast.
Britain should be able to provide
a part Of the increase in the bomber
force, but undoubtedly great de-
pendence must be placed on Amer.
ica's resources.
If we can get these fresh forces
into action in the near future we
may be able to nail Hitler's hide on
the barn door by next autumn.
The partial destruction of the
great industrial city of Cologne pro-
vides an excellent example of what
can be done with 1,000-bomber raids.
1t is we'll known that 40 per cent OF
the city was wiped out and probably
another Is per cent was partly de-
stroyed.