Pacific News-Review

Notes And Comment On

The Progress Of The War

From Sept. 16 To Oct. 15

Sept. 16: Germans have launched large-scale offensive along whole south ern sector from Kiev to Black Sea, with object of attacking Crimea and pushing through the Don Basin to the coveted, rich Caucasus.

Sept. 16: Outer defences of Leningrad still are holding out against Nazi effort to smash way into city. RAF planes (some manned by Australians) are tak ing part in its defence.

Sept. 16: The'aged, pro-Axis Shah of Iran abdicated in favour of his eldest son. Shahpur Mohamed Riza, 22. British and Russian forces now are in complete control of country, and hundreds of Ger man agents, who infiltrated into Iran in recent months, have been rounded up.

Sept 17: In southern sector, German Army making slow but continued pro gress at terrific cost of man-power.

In Britain there is a growing volume of public opinion that some diversion — landing of troops in Europe, for example —should be created to divert Nazi troops back to Western front, this relieving present tremendous pressure on Russian Army.

Sept. 18: Over million dollars’ worth of American machine tools are on way to Russia, via Vladivostock. US Gov ernment is considering question of ex tending loan to Soviet of several hun dred million dollars for purchase of munitions.

Sept. 18: Struggle around Leningrad is growing in intensity, with between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 men locked in a death grapple.

Sept. 18: Authoritative American sources report that little progress is being made in preliminary talks between Japan and USA for solution of Far Eastern and Pacific problems.

Sept. 19: US Navy Secretary announced United States Fleet now is convoying Lend-Lease goods to Britain, Atlantic sinkings in recent weeks have diminished greatly and Britain appears definitely to be on top in the Battle for the Atlantic upon which, after all, depends to a large extent her survival.

Sept. 19: Daily, large RAF forces of giant, powerful bombers, escorted by anything up to 300 gun-bristling fight ers, sweep over France, leaving a trail of havoc. The target at night is Ger many—the Rhineland, Karlsruhe and other centres where telling blows are crippling plants and industries upon which Hitler depends for his synthetic oils, ammunition, and supplies of all kinds.

Light raids have been carried out over Britain in last few days by the Luft waffe, but damage has been quite slight —infinitesimal compared with last year’s raids.

Sept. 19; Heavy fighting before Kiev, capital of the Ukraine in South Russia, has resulted in further German claims of success.

Sept 19: In view of grave Russian situation, Britain has waived her priority over Lend-Lease goods, so that maxi mum help can go to Soviet in minimum of time. Two hundred latest American fighter planes, which just reached Eng land, have been re-shipped, still crated, to_ Russian ports.

Sept. 20: Italian communiques refer to possible British offensive in Libya—sor ties by Army of the Nile are becoming more frequent, daring.

It is true that tanks, guns, and aero planes have been flowing into the West ern Desert from Imperial and American sources in huge volume in recent months, but British commentators do

not believe time is yet ripe to wipe the Italians and Germans from the face of Northern Africa. Tobruk garrison, man ned largely by Australian troops, is still isolated and heroically carrying on, despite furious air “blitzes” practically every day.

Sept. 21: Though Germans claim to have entered and captured Kiev, Rus sians say they still are in possession of some sections of the city.

Sept. 21: It is expected that Bulgaria, under prodding from Hitler, will shortly break off relations with the Soviet.

Sept. 21: Japanese-American negotia tions are virtually at a standstill. Prince Konoye’s Cabinet is adamant that basis of Far East settlement must include world recognition of Japanese conquests in China and an assured continuity of oil supplies. To both demands, the US Government is steadfast in its refusal.

Sept. 22: Russia now admits Kiev, gateway to the grainfields, mines, and heavy industries of Ukraine, has been abandoned after 46 days’ siege. Observ ers emphasise that Russia’s military position now has become more serious than at any time since war began.

Sept. 22: King Boris, of Bulgaria, is conferring with Hitler. It is believed Nazis intend seeking use of Bulgarian fleet to embark troops across Black Sea for back-door attack on Caucasus and Crimea Peninsula.

Sept. 23: Russian communique states Marshal Budenny was able to extricate bulk of his forces from Kiev front. Ger mans claim 50 Soviet divisions were destroyed in final Kiev drive.

Sept. 23: Sinking near Iceland of another American-owned freighter “Pink Star” (6,580 tons) by German submarine has brought USA further step closer to war.

It seems clear that Hitler considers the flow of American war supplies to Britain sufficiently important to risk war with United States to stop it. Thus the years 1916-17 are repeating themselves, for it was the Kaiser’s mistaken belief that he could get away with unrestricted sub marine warfare that brought USA into World War I.

Sept. 24: Japanese troops commenced their first offensive in China, in North Hunan Province, since last May.

Sept. 24: British submarines in Mediter ranean sank two large troopships carrying Italian reinforcements to Libya. Since beginning of month, 19 of Mussolini’s vessels ranging from large schooners to 23,000-ton liners have been sent to the bottom of the sea.

Sept. 24: From German-occupied coun tries comes news of Nazi terrorism cam paigns to stifle growing unrest. Executions since August in subjugated territories number nearly 350—in Belgium, Yugo slavia and Paris.

Sept. 24: Russian armies are counter attacking Germans along 100-miles front to relieve Nazi blows against Marshal Budenny’s armies in south.

Sept. 25; After brief respite, German Ar my in Ukraine is pressing forward in vig orous drive towards Kharkov, east of fallen Kiev, where vital Soviet aeroplane, tank, and munitions factories are located.

This centre is invaluable for the main tenance of Russia’s war supplies and it is believed that only a major battle will force the Russians to quit this area. In central sector, Soviet Marshal Timoshenko is engaged in bitter fighting to recapture Smolensk, won by Nazis last month at fearful cost of men and munitions.

Sept. 25: Record Australian budget of £320,000,000 introduced in Federal Par liament by Prime Minister Fadden is likely to be opposed by Labour Party.

Sept. 26: After heavy artillery bom bardment, Germans on Wednesday began assault on Crimea Isthmus, with large mechanised forces and parachute troops.

Russians say they repulsed all attacks.

Sept. 26; Following series of confer ences with US army chiefs, President Quezon, of Philippines, has taken steps to call up entire Philippines’ army reserves by end of year.

Sept. 26: Roosevelt is seeking amend ment of Neutrality Act to allow US merchant ships, with supplies, to enter combat zones and to be armed.

Sept. 27: Marshal Budenny is reported to be forming new defence line west of Kharkov, with three-quarters of his forces extricated from German pincers movement at Kiev.

Sept. 28; Summarising last fortnight’s events, British newspaper commentators declare that, while Russians obviously are in much worse position militarily than month ago, it believed German offensive unlikely to deliver decisive blow to Rus sians before winter sets in.

Sept. 28: Reports from Italy of rioting and sabotage have led to speculation in Britain on the possibility of a “break-up”.

Much pf this newspaper talk is merely wishful thinking, but it is a fact that the Italians have become resentful of the extent to which Germany is controlling their country. The Italians, too, are chaf fing at the comparative lack of German support in Libya—far from winning back their African Empire, Hitler is requesting more troops for his European commit ments and more sacrifices from the Italian people.

Sept. 29: As spearhead of Nazi Panzer forces is thrusting towards Kharkov, Berlin admits Marshal Budenny’s re grouped armies so far have held the line.

Sept. 29; RAF bombers raided Northern Italy, dropping high explosive bombs— and propaganda leaflets.

Sept. 29: General Sir Archibald Wavell (who led successful British drive into Italian Libya earlier in year) has ar rived in Iran to discuss with Russian army leaders, the defence of Caucasus oilfields. It is reported that British forces soon may go to the Caucasus.

Sept. 30: Churchill, in ringing Com mons speech, pledged Britain to make sacrifices of a very serious nature to enable Russia to remain indefinitely in the field as a first class war-making power.

Oct. 1: News that Russian forces have retreated from Poltava (80,000 pop.), in Ukraine, suggests that the Nazi drive by Marshal von Rundstedt towards Khar kov is well under way. Strategists believe Hitler’s aim in Russia now is to split Soviet army into three sections Leningrad area, central sector, Ukraine and Caucasus —then attempt to crush each separately.

Oct. 1: British and American represen tatives at Moscow Supply Conference agreed to place at disposal of Soviet prac tically every military and civil require ment asked for. In return, the Soviet will supply them with urgently required raw materials.

Oct. 2: Though Moscow jubilantly re ports the first fall of snow in Ukraine, neutral observers are not so sanguine as the Soviet leaders that winter snows will spell the doom of Hitler’s armies in Russia. „ , Oct. 3: Hitler, breaking five-months silence to review Russian war, told Ger man people that Nazis had captured 2,500,000 prisoners, had destroyed or captured 22,000 guns, 18,000 tanks and 14,500 aeroplanes. Russia, he boasted, had been penetrated to a depth of over 600 miles, and an area had been occupied as

great as pre-1933 Germany. He explained that he had declared war on the Soviet because he feared '‘Russian aggression and had been subjected to impossible Soviet demands”, Oct. 4: Australian Federal Government defeated by Labour Party on Budget censure vote, 36-33. New Labour Govern ment formed, led by 56-years-old John Curtin, former West Australian journalist.

Oct. 4: Failure of Japanese offensive in Hunan Province constitutes most severe defeat Japan has suffered in four years of war in China.

Oct. 5: Rio de Janiero reports state powerful units of US fleet are operating off “bulge” of Brazil, searching for an Axis raider which sank the US-owned tanker “I. C. White” (7,000 tons), a few days ago.

Oct. 5: Nazi drive on Kharkov is taking form of familiar pincers technique, aimed at pinching out Kharkov rather than face the frontal defences upon which Marshal Budenny has been working feverishly since the Kiev retreat. Rus sians still are counter-attacking before Crimea region, where Germans are bringing up huge reinforcements.

Oct. 5: Russians give out German casualty figures as ’ more than 3,000,000 killed, wounded, and taken prisoner; 11,000 tanks, 13,000 guns and 9,000 air craft destroyed or captured.

Oct. 5; British Commander-in-Chief in Far East, Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, has reached Manila to confer with US Commander-in-Chief of Far East, Lieut.-General D. Macarthur.

Significantly after the meeting, spoke Sir Robert thus; “Britain is ready to meet any move in the Far East. . . I think the Japanese are beginning to wonder if they have not been let down by the Axis —in fact, backed the wrong horse”.

Oct. 6: Aimed at taking Moscow at any cost, Germans have launched big offen sive in central sector, in two thrusts.

Oct. 7; Admiralty states British sub marines sunk or damaged 11 more enemy ships in Mediterranean.

Oct. 8: Berlin Radio states new Nazi offensive is “greatest in history”. Hitler, apparently, is all out to take Moscow, realising the difficulty of wintering his armies without city accommodation. It is believed he hoped to capture Leningrad before advancing on Moscow, but Lenin grad has repulsed every assault by Marshal von Leeb’s million men.

Oct. 8: Germans, in drive on Moscow, are reported to have reached approaches to Viazma, 140 miles south-east of capital. Vast battles of annihilation are taking place. Marshal Budenny, in the Ukraine, is trying to relieve increasing German pressure against Kharkov by series of brilliant counter-attacks.

Oct. 8; Sir Earle Page, Australia’s en voy to Britain, discussed Commonwealth’s part in Pacific affairs and defence with US army chiefs in Philippines at further important Manila conferences.

Oct. 8: Spectacular mock battles and large-scale manoeuvres in South England during last week tested England’s anti invasion strength. Army leaders were satisfied.

Oct. 9: Reported from New York that USA, Britain, and Dutch East Indies, have agreed to stop all oil shipments to Japan.

Oct. 9: Seriousness of Moscow drive is undeniable. Soviet High Command, an nouncing evacuation of Orel, important railway junction 200 miles south of Mos cow, does not minimize that its loss represents a grave threat to Russia’s industrial centres. Twice previously, Marshal Timoshenko has thrown back the Germans attempting to reach Moscow; the question now is: Can he do it a third time?

Military commentators emphasise that this Moscow drive gives a realistic glimpse of the titanic power of the German war

machine. For four months now the Ger man armies have staged one great offen- Sive after another on a front of 1,600 miles. The offensives were on a scale unheard of in previous wars, and were made at an enormous cost of men and material. In spite of colossal problems of transport and supply, they have been able to organise and put into effect this tremendous offensive.

Oct. 9: Encouraging reports from Britain tell of RAP's growing strength, fighter forces now are strongest in world and bomber striking power has doubled what it was a year ago. America is send ing across a constant, inexhaustible flow of medium bombers and fighters, while Britain herself is concentrating largely on producing heavy bombers.

Oct. 10: Throwing in division after division regardless of losses, Hitler’s of fensive has lost little of its momentum.

Most promising news is that the Russians, while admitting position is extremely grave, are inflicting heavy toll and are falling back in fighting order. If Timo shenko is getting the major portion of his armies away, it is expected that a German victory, even if it gives them Moscow, will not prove to be the decisive, final victory that Hitler promised his people. Viazma, key town in the path of the invaders, appears to be holding out still. The civil population everywhere is fighting side by side with the Russian troops.

Oct. 10; American reports say Stalin has asked Britain for an immediate military diversion on the Western front to force a diminution of the pressure on Russia’s centre, but that Britain has replied indicating her inability to provide a sufficiently large and well-equipped force to achieve such a purpose.

Oct. 12: There are indications that Russians at last have succeeded in stem ming the Germans’ advance. Streams of Soviet reinforcements, mostly mechanised and winter-clothed, are arriving to stiffen the defence of Moscow’s approaches.

Oct. 12: Revealed that recently US naval party captured Nazi radio outpost in Greenland. This is first reported activity of American forces in US-protected Danish islands.

Oct. 12: Isolationist move to prohibit granting of portion of 6,000,000 dollars Lease-and-Lend appropriation to Russia has been defeated in US House of Representatives.

Oct. 12: RAF bombers attacked the Rhineland and Ruhr in Germany, last night, after week’s spell of bad flying weather.

Oct. 12: Washington reports state American-Japanese talks on Pacific sta bility have been resumed.

Oct. 13: Timoshenko, Russian com mander on central front, now is at tempting to form long defence line, as German offensive slackens. Key-town of Viazma, captured by Nazis, has been won back by Soviet forces.

Oct. 14: German High Command has ordered Von Leeb to storm Leningrad this week, using artillery and dive-bombers.

If the city still resists, it is to be razed to the ground.

Oct. 14: Bringing up masses of ar moured units and infantry, Hitler has re-taken Viazma. Situation along entire Russian front appears to be highly con fused and fluid —changing hourly; but reliable reports to London state Nazi advance units apparently are about 65 miles west of Moscow and that the Red Army is retreating into new positions.

Oct. 15: Massing 250,000 fresh troops from France and two full air fleets (10,000 planes), Germans are preparing for new wave designed to carry them into Moscow.

Capital now is menaced from three sides, but Russian leaders defiantly state Red soldiers and civilians can hold city against all attacks until vast Russian reserves are brought up.