Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-07-10
WORLD IN
REVIEW
BY Maj. Gen.
D. P. Barrows

On JULY s Adolph Hitler
" broke his silence again and
made a radio broadcast TO the
German nation which was re-
corded in this country.
lie recognized the extreme
gravity Of the military situa-
ton with German armies suffer-
ing defeats on every front.
lie spoke of the magnitude
OF difficulties" TO be surmounted.
He spoke OF the gigantic
struggle " for the fate Of the
German nation" that would de-
eide the TO be or not 10 be Of
many generations" and finally
he called upon the German ma
ton to exhibit IAN -Hhheafd-ef
strength of nerves and determi-
nation" 10 survive the present
times.
We do not need these admis-
sions OF Hitler 10 realize that
the war in Europe has now
reached a crisis of battle in
which the fate of that continent
will be determined.
1t is impossible 10 estimate
the present strength Of Ger
many or the power Of its war
resistance.
But we can at least frame
certain questions the answers
TO which may be given in the
weeks that are 10 follow.
- .
EIRST and fundamentally,
Il what is the state OF morale
in the German fighting forces
and in the nation back OF them?
What response are they still
capable of making to this last
Hitler appeal?
In Italy and Normandy the
German armies are making
very determined resistance. So
much so that during the past
week Allied advance was nearly
halted.
Thousands of German soldiers
have been taken by surrender,
but only after the prospects of
further fighting were hopeless.
These soldiers, when oues-
toned, remain sullen and de-
faint and still express confidence
that Germany will win.
Within Germany itself great
havoc has been wrought by
Allied bombing. but il is clear,
after months OF unprecedented
trial. that air warfare has not
brought the German people 10
their knees.
The Geheime Stats PoliZei,
the terroriStic organization
which Hitler has used to main
tain his party in power, has a
grip upon every part of the
nation which seems capable of
suppressing defeatism and every
variance Of opinion from the
Nazi doctrine.
Is there then expectation Of
a national collapse that could
overthrow Hitler and his crlmi-
nal associates?
Is there possibility OF re-
volt within the German armies
and among their commanders?
Has a point in the war now
been reached where the Wehr-
macht is overpowered by the
superior strength Of the Allies.
The German luftwaffe appears
weak.
Is a reserve OF air strength
being huSbanded which will be
used when the time comes?
In Russia and in Normandy
the Germans have used armoT
lavishly and have lost heavily.
Can the German tanks be re-
placed by accelerated industry ?
German artillery seems weaker
than our own in Italy, in France
and especially in Russia.
AS SPRING opened, Germany
"A had an estimated strength
of over 300 divisions.
Some of these have been de-
Stroyed. In many divisions re-
placements have been impos-
Slble.
AS a minimum, should we put
the aggregate of armed, trained
and organized German soldiers
al 100000. 100000 of these
on the eastern front and a mil
lion in western Europe. or is
this perhaps too low an esti-
mate?
Are these numbers sufficient
10 allow Germany 10 make a
long. continuing bloody battle
that will at least stave off "un-
conditional surrender for a
year or more longer?
A part of the answer would
seem TO lie in how much more
conquered territory the Ger
mans are prepared TO lose and
whether they can. by doing so,
establish Shortened lines which
may be stubbornly held.
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