Evening star., 1943-07-18

poured into Sicily are in such strength
that regardless of how stubborn the
enemy's opposition may be there can be
no doubt about the final outcome of the
operation. 1t is only question of time
before that important bastion of the
European fortress falls into Allied hands.
None of our military leaders can FORE
see at present whether the Axis will fol-
low its Tunisian strategy. That is to
say, whether our enemies will fight a
Humanitarian war;" which consists OF
lighting so long as the defending forces
have a good chance to keep us at bay.
but surrender when 1t is obvious that the
game is up.
The argument in favor of this type OF
warfare is that both the Nazis and the
Italians, who know that their prisoners
are being well treated, want to spare
their manpower as much as possible and
do not desire to sacrifice more men than
Is absolutely necessary.
The argument against it is that the
Nazis realize the moral Importance of
eAAS AoAA VI oASAy oll Vic 4CdlAdllo dlIO d
surrender might have tremendous roper
cussions throughout Italy. 1t may be a
much more powerful argument with the
bulk OF the Italian people to get out Of
the war than all the propaganda of the
Allies to induce the Italian people to
GUST their present masters and come to
our side.
Gave Up African Hope.
We also know now that the German
high command had written off North
Africa as far back as last March. But
we do not know how much importance
Berlin attributes to Sicily and the other
islands In the Central Mediterranean.
Neither do we know whether the Nazi
high command is willing to write off the
whole of Italy as bad investment.
From the present efforts of the Nazis,
who are bringing reinforcements across
the Brenner Pass into Italy, 1t would ap-
pear that they want to keep Italy in the
War-by force if necessary.
But this, of course, is sheer speculation
The Nazi forces can be pulled out of
Italy with the same speed they have
been taken into that country in recent
weeks. With the exception of the north
ern part, where important industries are
located, Italy is of little Importance to
the defense of the European fortress.
Hence it is conceivable that the Ger
mans. backed by a portion of Italian
troops loyal to Mussolini. may decide to
defend the River Po and the mountain
Gus regions of Italy.
The question of whether the Allies
will decide to invade Italy after the oc-
cupation Of Sicily will have to be dis
cussed by the American and British
chiefs OF staffs soon.
Based on discussions Of the previous
May get together it would appear that
the British are much more interested
than their American colleagues in start
ing military operations in Italy as soon
as possible after the collapse of the Axis
defenses in Sicily.
Churchill Wants Invasion.
The British Prime Minister in particu-
lar is anxious to see the Allied forces
pour into Italy this year, if possible He
considers operations in Italy as of
paramount Importance to soften the
morale of the italian people and induce
them to give up. He feels certain that
the Italian morale is so bad that lust a
little push" would bring the major part
of the kingdom, with the possible excep-
of
arms of the Allies
The American strategists so far have
shown little enthusiasm for such an
operation. They may be Influenced to
rally themselves to the British point of
view if the Italians indeed show that
they will not oppose our penetration of
their country.
But even under such circumstances
they question the wisdom of what may
be termed as strategically an academic
operation.
In order to defeat the Nazis, our
strategists maintain, we must tackle
them with ground forces. We must get
at them with our tanks, artillery and
infantry. And Italy is not the place
from which we can get at the Nazis in
the near future.
If we we're to admit that Italy south
of Florence and Genoa were to receive
US as its liberators, the task ahead will
still be such that we must give up all
hope of an invasion of Western Europe
early next year.
There are two roads leading into Ger
many from Italy. One is the northern
route across the River Po and the Alps
This route offers very difficult opera
ton involving very large force This
force will have to overcome strong Nazi
defenses in Northern Italy, with the Ger
mans much closer to their bases of oper-
ations than we. It also means the