The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-03
NATIONAL DAY OF
 PRAYER ENACTED
(Continued from Page D

When Britain and France recog- rized a state of war with Germany three years ago today, because two days previously Germany had att tackled their ally, Poland, they were ill-prepared. France collapsed, Dun- kirk deprived the British Army of almost every modern weapon it had, and Britain fought on alone until Germany attacked Russia in June, l941.
 Russian Phase Bad
 Today military observers saw the Russian situation as definitely bad. They believed 1t possible that Stall ingrad might fall within the next few days.
 The German claim that the Volga had been reached north of Stalin- grad and the Russian admissions of further retreats southwest of the city in face of superior armor made it clear that Stalingrad was already practically invested. There was even an unconfirmed Stockholm report of fighting in the outskirts.
 There was no doubt here that the Russians would put up most stub- born resistance, as they always do, and that the Germans would pay reavily for the city if they got it. But it was believed that the Ger man command was ready to sacri- flee as many men as necessary to take it.
 The Egyptian situation was tense. Lack of detailed news made it diff cult to assess. Most observers be- heved Field Marshal Erwin Rom- mel was trying desperately to smash the British Army knowing that If he could do so. attainment of his territorial objections, Alexandria and Suez, would be easy.
 It was felt here that General Harold R. l.. c. Alexander, the Middle East commander in chief, and Lieutenant General B. L. Montgomery, commanding the Eighth Army in the field, had met the German attack well.
 Good British Defense
 The brief official reports made 1t appear that the British defense had been excellently organized and con- trolled on ground selected by the Imperial command and that the now powerful British forces were wise in waiting for Rommel to find them instead of rushing into a pre- mature counter-attack.
 No special anxiety was felt be- cause of the German tactics by which Rommel was trying to strike northward toward the coast from the southern end of the line. This was said to be a natural develop ment in dessert warfare, and there were some who even thought 1t a favorable one because it would leave the German supply line exposed to British counter-action.
 The decision of the British com mand to confine its communiques to brief summaries was attributed to two considerations: First, that the British Army was fighting so close to Alexandria, its main base, that there was danger of giving valuable information to the enemy: secondly, that the command desired to give no opportunity for over"op- timistic speculation.
 It was believed here that it might be several days before there was a definite indication of the battle trend.
 Newspapers in their anniversary editorials foresaw further reyerses fo rthe United Nations but found reason for confidence that the fourth war year would see the Allies on the offensive.
 They called on the people for ua- reserved war effort and urged them [ pray today with the King not only that they might be victorious but that they might be worth Of victory.
 Americans Jeln In
 London, Sept. 3-lUP)-AmeTican troops in London joined millions Of Britons throughout the empire to- day in i6-Inlnute prayer services on the wards third anniversary.
 Americans gathered in a tempo- rary chapel installed in a large room of what once was a fashionable mansion, A table covered by al white cloth, on which rested a cross and candles. served as an altar, In the background was a United States flag.
 Roman Catholics attended an early morning Mass, and another service was conducted in the Amer iaar GR3aaFR eIalh