Evening star., 1943-04-14
Red Drive Expected
This Summer 10 Aid
Allied Invasion Plan
Experts See Possible
Juncture of Forces
In BuIkun Area
By LEWIS HAWKINS,

watching the desperate race between
the Allies and the Axis to muster
power for 1943 showdown on the
European continent. anticipate that
Soviet Russia will attempt to mount
her first summer offensive of the
war this year.
These sources, which must go un-
named, point out that the east
west combination has subjected
Germany to the worst winter it has
yet experienced and brought the war
to phase described by Winston
Churchill as the lend of the be-
ginning"
Pointing out that the Russian
counteroffensive which freed Stall
ingrad and recaptured much terri
tory in the south started almost
simultaneously with the Allied at
tack in North Africa, similar mesh
ing was predicted for the begin
ming of the end"
The observers recognized that re-
cent German counterattacks may
be the feelers for the usual Nazi
offensive on the Eastern front. but
said the Russians, nevertheless,
would attempt to land the first
warm weather punch this year or,
If this proved impossible. to launch
major counteroffensive after alb
sorbing the first Nazi blows.
Might Break Through in Southeast.
;r
counted on to hold the attention of
180 or more Axis divisions. At best,
there might be a breakthrough for
a possible junction with the Allies
somewhere in Southeastern Europe.
(The sources of this speculation
were deliberately ignoring the
much discussed possibility OF an AL
lied invasion through France and
working on the theory of a thrust
through the BalkansD
Some military critics regard a CO.
ordinated Russian offensive as an
absolutely vital corollary to a sue
cessful Allied assault. Others, how
ever, are convinced that. regardless
of the Red army's comeback ability,
the Allies will strike at the CONT
nent Immediately after the clean
up in Tunisia.
No one here attempts to say
where the major effort will be di-
rected, but many think the Balkans
the most desirable avenue, and this
Is the spot about which the Ger
mans at least pretend, in their prop
uganda, to be most worried.
Might Bypass Turkey.
II Turkish cooperation is to be
forthcoming, one of the most attrac-
tive paths would be through the
Dardanelles to permit blows at OIL
producing Rumania and half-heart-
ed Bulgaria. This would also place
American and British forces in posi-
tion for squeeze play. in conjunc-
ton with the Russians, along the
Black Sea shore.
An alternative would be to bypass
Turkey and push through Greece or
Yugoslavia, where native guerillas
and Allied parachutists-still un-
suppressed despite Axis efforts of
long duration-are described by the
kan vanguard for Allied INVASION"
(The Allies have treated Turkey
as friendly non belligerent
throughout the war, even going to
the extent of furnishing her with
war materials needed by themselves.
There never has been, however, any
indication that Turkey contem-
plated any change in her status as
neutral. Her officials. however.
like those of Spain, undoubtedly
heard Secretary Hull when he told
the worlds neutrals, in effect, that
those who are not with the Allies
are against them.)
Doubt Hitler Will Stay Idle.
News from Teheran of the in
creasing efficiency of the American
operated Persian Gulf supply line
to Russia and the existence of the
large, but long-idle British 9th and
10th Armies in the Near East focuses
additional attention on the cross
roads of Europe and Asia. site of the
only common frontier for the three
principal Allies. The significance
OF the Allied reopening of the short
est supply line to this area through
the capture of Tunis has not been
lost sight of, particularly by the
German propagandists.
While all of this speculation re-
garding Allied moves continues, the
German factor is not being over
looked. From his record, it is
doubtful that Hitler would be con-
tent to assume a solely defensive
role when his own offensive strategy
Is turned against him by the Allies.
The Germans met two-wav
squeeze this winter by strong
counteroffensive in Russia and a
fighting retreat in Libya.
Thus far in Russia Germany nev-
er has launched a summer drive
before June, but there Is Indicate
that Hitler is gathering strength to
strike earlier this year. Latest re-
ports refer to NaZi concentrations
around Belgorod, between Kursk
and Kharkov, in an area which both
sides seem to recognize as the key
stone Of the great, sprawling front.
While the Germans were elected
from some of their best offensive
positions by the winter campaign,
they fell back on primary bases
while the Russians were drawing