Evening star., 1942-05-19
Balance Of Military
Power Shifts 10
Allies First Time
Stuffs Now Held Able
To PIon Offensive With
At leust 20 Divisions
BY DREW MIDDLETON,

ny DALV M1OOLExO xON,
Associated Press War Correspondent.
LONDON, May 19.-The balance
Of military power in Western Eu-
rope has shifted to the Allies favor
for the first time since the war be-
gan, a responsible military observer
declared today as thousands Of
battle ready American soldiers
swelled the striking might develop
ing in these islands.
The realization both here and in
tn, United States that only ofIen-
sive action can beat Germany de-
cisively Is underscored. this inform
ant said, not only by the great con-
voy which has deposited new, COM
bat-equipped United States force In
Northern Ireland, but also by the
intensive training of Canadian and
British armies for attack and the
accumulation Of air strength.
Now, he said, with the German
Army deteriorating and in difncul-
ties In Russia, the new American ar
rivals with prospect OF still further
reinforcements make 1t possible for
the Allies to plan for an offensive
with at least 20 divisions, 800 900
men.
Outnumbered First Time.
For the first time since the out
break Of the war the German gen.
eral staff finds its armies outnum-
bered in both East and West" he
observed.
This was accompanied by unde-
niable proof that the U-boat fleets
which have failed to starve Brit
ain also have failed to prevent the
transportation Of large numbers Of
American troops across the Allan
tic"
Combined American and British
sea power blunted this weapon, this
source asserted, and the battle OF
the Coral Sea has indicated that
the Allies disadvantage in the
Pacific is being erased.
Every important maritime COM
munication has been kept open," he
added.
"As a result, in the wars third
spring the Germans are faced with
Russian, American and British
armies thrice the size Of the Allied
forces opposite them in May, 1S40."
He mentioned as another "im-
portant factor" the gradual de-
terioration of those Nazi spear
heads, the highly trained dive
bomber fleets and mechanical and
motorized divisions which helped
decisively in overrunning eight
countries in the first two years OF
the war.
"The German Army still is a
first-class fighting force" he said,
"but deterioration Is evident.
1.-THE machines are there. but the
trained personnel is lacking"
Seen Less Effective.
He declared the regular German
infantryman, conceded to be q good
soldier, is no more capable "of
learning the intricate tasks Of a
dive-bomber pilot or tank driver
in three months" than any other
soldier and he predicted, therefore,
that Germany's air and armored
arms would be less effective In this
years campaigns.
On the other hand, he cited the
inclusion of cleaning new tanks
in the Nnited States force in Ireland
as proof that the United States Is
utilizing the greatest advantage
she has over the enemy or even her
allies-a great mass Of skilled driv-
ers and mechanics, the cream Of .
mechanically minded nation"
These troops are fully equipped" !"
he continued. often that Is q mil
itary catch phrase. But this time,
happily, it's absolutely true. They're
miles ahead Of the American di-
visions which landed in France in
World War l."