Evening star., 1942-04-23

A considerable force 0f AlIeC
naval vessels and aircraft thus viii
be tied up in the North Atlantic for
the protection Of shipping Of
fensive operations against the bases
from which the German submarines
and aircraft operate seem likely
20 be undertaken. The British
raid on St. Nazaire is doubtless but
a foretsste Of what is to come in
this respect.
The island of Great Britain also
will be the base for the Allied air
offensive. already growing in scope
and power and directed against
German military and industrial in
stallstions in Germany and Ger
man-ocCupied territory. Aircraft
Of longer range and greater carry
ing power. using bombs of larger
size and greater effectiveness than
those Of l941. will be employed.
Considerable numbers Of American
aircraft can be expected to Join
the Royal Air Force in these opera
tions.
Besides continuing to carry out
the admirably planned British Of
fensives against German industry
special air offensiveS co-ordinated
with the Russian campaign un-
doubtedly Will take place. An in
tenSiflcation of the commando raids
on various coastal points also may
be foreseen.
Greater Operations Expected.
Beyond this, however, we may
expect to see combined operations
Of even larger scope directed against
Western Europe. There are now
considerable numbers of thoroughly
trained and equipped troops in the
British Isles which, given sufficient
shipping, could certainly conduct a
strong offensive against any one
Of several points in Western Europe.
With the Germans hampered by
their Russian adventure. the neces-
sary air superiority easily should
be obtained at any point where
1t is needed. Again, however, it is
to be noted that such an offensive
should be planned in coordination
with Russian efforts in the East.
The selection of the time and place
is Of the first importance.
The Germans already are begin
ming to feel the pressure of a real
war on two fronts. While there is
still every reason to believe that
they are planning major offensive
in Russia, to be opened as soon as
weather and road conditions permit,
they are taking extraordinary de-
fensive measures in the West and
they may be able to find the means
for some offensive of their own di-
! rected toward the dislocation of
the Allies plans.
A German attack on Iceland, for
example, or on Fire, though each
presents great difficulties, cannot
be ruled out as impossible. A Ger
man push through Spain into
French North and West Africa
would extend the radius of opera
ton of German submarines and
aircraft and divert Allied naval
! forces.
Norway May Be Springboard.
pnrIo1S
a subsidiary German offensive di-
rected from Norway against Muir
mansk and Archangel with a view
to closing the Allied supply route
to Russia. Field Marshal Won List,
the Well-known German blitzkrieg
expert, is reported in Norway, where
he is said to have received rein
forcements bringing his total force
up to II divisions, including at least
two armored divisions. An attack
from Norway against Russia prob
ably would require the violation of
the neutrality of Sweden and this
might introduce a wholly new ele-
ment into the war If the SWedes
saw fit to resist. The reported heavy
| defensive measures taken by the
Germans at Bodo and Trondheim
would be perfectly consistent with
such a move, as they would be in
! tended to prevent the obvious Allied