Evening star., 1945-02-02
Supply Difficulties
May Halt Russians
Short Of Nazi Capital
Py the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
PARIS, Feb. 2.-Logistics-the
military science of getting supplies
into the battle line-rather than q
reinforced German defense, may de-
eide whether the present Russian
offensive carries across the Oder
River and the last 40 miles to Berlin
That is the opinion of the best
available unofficial military intelli-
gence here. although admittedly moi
much Is known here of the full
capabilities of the Russian break.
through or the exact intention of the
Soviet command.
1t is quite possible the Red Army
surge may stop short of Berlin, but
if 1t does it may we'll be because OF
this logistic problem
The weather and the Polish muC
are keys to that. The Russians have
now reached that part of Germany
where the road system improves
with every mile-but behind then
are the great supply line trails across
$50 miles or more of the Polish plain
Must Change Rail Lines.
That plain now is frozen ano
snow-covered, making it possible fol
vehicles and sleds to run without
difficulty. But from late March
through April the roads become vir-
tually useless with thaws and spring
mud.
There are rail lines, but these
take some time to change to the
Russian wide gauge-and this woulc
mean widening tunnels and under
passes and cutting away station
landings all along the routes.
BY all normal procedures of 10.
gistics, the Russians would find il
necessary to stop their onrush wei
before the thaW. They could ther
establish strong line for the next
jump off and get supplies up tc
strengthen and maintain that line
before the roads bog down
The Oder-within knockout dis
tance Of Berlin--is regarded by many
observers as the likely place for that
buildup, although obviously the Rus
slams could be expected to secure
bridgeheads across it before easing
the pressure.
Could Mop Up East Prussia.
The Russians could fan out north
and seize Stettin. They could mop
up East Prussia and the rest of the
Baltic Coast. They could push or
deeper into Czechoslovakia and be-
yond Budapest in Hungary.
Speculation that the Soviet drive
might stop short of Berlin is based
entirely on logistcs. But the answer
is most uncertain-for the Russians
in the past have defied normal
handicaps and supply limitations te
the outright amazement of theil
Allies-and the enemy.
There is. therefore, the possibility
that the fate of Germany may be
decided in the next few days in that
roughly rectangular area east of the
capital known as the Oder River
box, which includes key traffic inter
sections of mainline approaches
from the east.
Nazis Must Strengthen Lines.
Only the sketchiest of information
regarding strongpoints in this area
has filtered beyond the German
border, but the framework of the
defense is understood to be groups
of fortified positions of prewar con-
struction
Even the stoutest framework OF
strongpoints is likely to be in
effectual unless the Nazis can sup
plement them with sufficient mobile
forces to man the Oder River line
north and southeast of this critica
area.
+ To do this 1t Is believed the Ger
mans must somehow bring home q
sizable share of forces presently
scattered far from the Reichs cen.
term Norway, the Baltic states
Hungary or italy.