Evening star., 1943-07-08
German Objectives
In Russiu Are Obscure
Major Eliot Discusses
Different Theories
Of Kursk Offensive
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.

By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.
The Germans are attacking in Russia,
but exactly what their purpose may be
is not easy to tell as yet.
II had to make guess now, on the
basis Of available information, I would
be inclined to the view that this Is a
limited-objectiv operation for the re-
covery OF Kursk--but I would add very
hastily that this is only a guess.
The recapture Of Kursk by the Ger
mans would enable them to re-establish
their old strong defensive line-Bryansk-
Orel- -Kursk- Belgorod- AS long
as the Russians hold Kursk. Orel is in a
dangerous salient, threatened from three
sides, and the Germans are compelled
to make unusual sacrifices in order to
hold it.
AS previously pointed out in these
Of Orel made no sense unless there was
German intention to 60 back to Kursk
as soon as opportunity offered. More
over, as long as the Russians remain in
KWsk. the Germans never can be en-
tirely happy in Belgorod and Kharkov.
because the main lines OF communica-
tion of those fortresses always will be
exposed to a Russian attack from the
northeast.
Therefore. an operation for the re-
covery OF Kursk has much to commend
it even If the Germans have no inten-
tion Of doing anything except re-estab-
fishing strong defensive front in Russia.
However. most German strategical
plans are flexible to the extent that they
have a minimum and maximum objec-
tive. In this case the minimum obtec-
tive may be the recapture of Kursk, the
maximum objective may be an offensive
eastward toward the upper Don, to be
undertaken If the Russians display un-
expected weakness or make mistakes, or
If, in general, the Kursk operation goes
we'll.
If the Germans were able to come
back to the Upper Don in the general
region OF Voronezh. they might, there
after, consider whether they would at
tempt to develop their success southwark
and reopen the road to the Caucasus, or
whether they would strike northward
behind Moscow and bring about a great
battle of decision with the Russian re-
serves massed in that area.
1t Is necessary, however. to remark
that barring some totally unexpected
Russian weakness, either OF these latter
proceedings seems completely beyond
German powers. and unless one Of them
is to be undertaken, an advance to the
Upper Don loses most OF its meaning.
1t Is all very we'll to talk about knock
ing out the Russians before the Anglo
American blows are ready to fall in
the south or west, but I am unable
to subscribe to the view that the Ger
mans are strong enough to dare become
completely involved in life or death
struggle with the Red Army while our
sword of Damocles bangles above them
by single thread.
There are. however. one or two other
strategical ccnsidera tions to be kept in
mind. The first is that the present
operation may be partly intended as q
feint. to draw Russian reserves south
ward. and that the real German purpose
Is a double stroke. first to retake Kursk
and then quick switch to the north
for another limited-objectiv operation
directed against Leningrad In such a
concept, the Germans would be favored
hyy |,eir TO-
The second thought which naturally
comes to mind is that the Germans may
be trying to lure the British and Amer
lean forces into premature invasion
OF the continent, which they might hope
would lead to bloody repulse and pave
the way toward negotiated peace.
In this case. they would have to be
very careful not to become too deeply
involved in Russia so that they could
keep in hand reserves adequate to bring
the aforesaid bloody repulse to pass.
So much for the enemy purpose. As
to his tactical progress. so far he does
not seem to be gaining much ground.
His lavish use of tanks in the early
phases of the assault Is a little difficult
to understand, in view of the lessons
Of Africa, and appears to have cost him
very heavily as against well-handled
Russian artillery and ground-strafng
aircraft. However, we have only seen
the enemy's opening gambit, and not the
really serious moves which must follow
If he Is to achieve his purpose-whatever
that purpose may be.
Copyright 1913. New York Tribune Inc