Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-02

History probably will describe 1914 as
the bloody victory year" for the Allies
in Europe
Preparations are being made to crush
the German armed forces regardless of
price. The Teheran conference brought
forth one tangible result so far as the
public knows-the agreement to organ
ize co-ordinated offensive against the
Nazis from the west and the east. For
the first time since the Soviet entered
the war on our side there has been a
harmonization of the strategic plans Of
the American British forces on the one
hand and the Russians on the other.
The Russians are now fighting pre-
lininary offensive. Their movements
are intended to prevent any further con-
solicitation of the German lines and the
exhaustion of the Nazi troops Theil
main blows are not expected, however, to
be delivered until the Allies in the West
are ready to strike in force. Such
blow was solemnly agreed to at the meet
ing Of the big three at Teheran.
While We are preparing the great I'M
dertaklng the American and British
strategists are wondering what the Ger
mans are likely to do. The Teheran de-
cisions are, of course, known to the
enemy. Even the points selected for the
principal and diversionary attacks likely
are known to the Nazis, whose planes
are flying over Britain every day watch
ing the concentration of the Allied
troops.
Enough spies have been caught in
England lately to lead to the deduction
that many more are able to commune
cate with the German high command.
Might Seek Diversion.
Thus, the Allied plans are no secret
to the enemy. Not only have we an
nounced them with fanfare of pub
licity unknown heretofore In military
history but the Nazi intelligence, if it
believed the publicity to be blind, is
now convinced from its own observation
that we actually mean to do what we
say
A minority of Allied strategists are OF
the opinion that before we strike from
the west next spring, the Nazi high COM
mand will attempt to divert our forces
by surprise offensive
While it is true that the Germans are
on the defensive everywhere in Europe
they still have sufficient forces to at
tempt diversionary offensive.
According to the best Russian and
British estimates which have been COM
municated to Washington, the German
forces consist of some 800 striking divi-
sions; that is to say, more than 100000
men. At least Is are tank divisions. 1t
is estimated that the Allies have about
500 striking divisions. Considering that
an attacking army must count generally
on Satleast 2-to-1 superiority; the Nazi
defensive power still is formidable. More
over. the. German Army can move in in.
terror lines while the Americans and
British must attack Western Europe
from across the water But our air su-
periority is of1setting some of the Nazis'
defensive advantages.
So far the Luftwaffe has made poor
showing Some observers believe that
while the German factories have been
seriously handicapped by Allied air bonn
bardments, they still are capable of
substantial output and that their pro-
duction is being held in reserve for the
main operations next spring.
Two Danger Spots.
The minority which still believes in
the possibility of Nazi offensive in Eu-
rope before the main Allied attack is
delivered has its eyes on two danger
spots" One is Turkey, the other is
Spain.
Without detaching a single division
from its present positions the Germans
and Bulgarians have sufficient force to
break through European Turkey cross
the Golden Horn and attempt to de-
scend toward Syria. There can be little
advantage for the Germans in this far