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Show i i i 11 i i ii ii.ii. ri i i i i i i i i .ii i i FORWARD MARCH By II. S. Sims, Jr. " ii mil 1 1 1 1 1 Hill I" IIIIMIIIHIIMIIIHII HI inspired by desperation, induced by the slow but steady progress into the vital industrial areas of the Reich, remains uncertain. If this is the case there is no occasion occa-sion for alarm even though the enemy make substantial gains into in-to Belgium and France. If not, then we must appraise the war situation sit-uation in the light of the new revelation, rev-elation, that the German army has , sufficient reserves to undertake an ambitious offensive designed to ; K.N KM V MAKI-S MA. JO It BID TO HALT AI.UM) AOVANCK INTO ARKA OK VITAL VVAH IM1 STKIKS Early news of the German pre-Christnias pre-Christnias offensive brought some anxious moments to Americans, many of whom were convinced a few weeks ago that the war was about over. Few expected that the enemy would be able to deliver such a smashing counter-offensive or that the Nazis would forsake their prepared positions for a slugging slug-ging match with the Anglo-Ameri- inflict losses upon our military tor- ; ces, in the knowledge that whatever what-ever happens the Reich has sufficient suffi-cient reserves to carry on the stubborn defense of the western wall. The Allied campaign, since the conclusion of the spectacular forward for-ward drive which followed the breakthrough into France, has been one of attrition. The idea is simply to give battle to the enemy, ene-my, accepting losses that are inevitable in-evitable in the belief that the enemy en-emy cannot replace casualties. If this conception was, or is, sound, Early reports of the ensuing battle came from German sources which announced important gains on a wide front. Allied headquarters headquar-ters remained silent as the engagement en-gagement proceeded and for several sev-eral days the situation was confused. con-fused. At this writing the extent of the Nazi gains is not apparent and it may be impossible to appraise ap-praise the current clash of highly mechanized units. Germans Score In Attack . . . Tho Germans attacked under favorable weather conditions and apparently succeeded in overrunning overrun-ning American positions for some depth. Reports of a new weapon need not obscure the basic factor of the Nazi advance, an overwhelming over-whelming force thrown into aggressive ag-gressive battle upon a somewhat limited front. The scope and power of the enemy thrust was a surprise. sur-prise. The gains made by the Germans created a painful impression in this country, where the people had concluded that the defeat of the enemy was only a matter of time. Wo are not acquainted with war in its disastrous forms and most of us can not easily realize that our armies are as vulnerable as other armies to counter-thrusts, which cannot be altogether avoided avoid-ed If the enemy determines to accept ac-cept the losses and risks involved. Motive Of Na.l Attack . . . Whether the German attack was then the area of battle is not important, im-portant, the extent of the German losses are what counts. In leaving their fortified zones the Nazis have offered our fighting fight-ing men an opportunity to fight upon the defensive. This may not be an advantage because, in mod- Jj ern war the offensive often in- if flicts the heavier losses because of the superiority achieved in the area attack. Consequently, we will I have to await fuller reports of the I commanders before understanding the significance or the importance of the Nazi counter-attack. Russians Delay Offensive . . . With the great battle going on in the west the Russians, in the east, have not yet launched their power drive. Operations undertaken undertak-en by the Red army in the past few months can hardly qualify as a full-fledged offensive. Several reasons have been suggested for the failure of the Soviet armies to mount an attack in the Poland area but few experts believe that the Germans have withdrawn any substantial number of troops for the battle in the west. The Germans still have considerable consid-erable strength in isolated Baltic B areas. They are offering stiffer resistance to the advance of the Russians through Hungary, although al-though they may have to withdraw with-draw from Slovakia under the pressure of the campaign on their right flank. This would tend to expose ex-pose the forces in Poland and enable en-able the Russians tn threaten Si- lesia, but, in view of extended Soviet Sov-iet supply lines, the long-awaited drive through Poland remains the major development of the future on the eastern front. Naval Power In Pacific . . . The campaign in the Philippines advanced toward Manila when the Americans landed on Mindoro, after af-ter a two and a half day sea voyage voy-age from Leyte. This expedition steamed boldly through Japanese dominated waters for 600 miles, going through the Surigao Strait, past the islands of Mindanao, Bo- g hoi, Cebu, Negros, Panay and Pal- awan, all studded with enemy air- S fields. It went through waters sup- FORWARD MARCH 2 J.. j posedly covered by Japanese sub- j marines and motor torpedo boats. Air attacks were encountered but i beaten off. The new island offensive demonstrated demon-strated the supreme value of sea power. Without control of the water, wat-er, the amphibious expedition B would have been impossible. Even a land drive, assuming our soldiers could hop from island to island, would represent a campaign of months, not days. By boldly employing em-ploying naval power the Americans Ameri-cans cut through the island chain, established beach positions 150 miles from Manila and added power pow-er to the threat that imperils Jap sea communications to the resources resour-ces of the conquered islands. The landing was made by soldiers sol-diers but for several days prior to the operations on Mindoro the aircraft of the fleet had pounded I Jap airfields, inflicting heavy plane and ship losses. This prelim- R inary aerial offensive helped to eliminate the Jap aircraft attacks and paved the way for the convoy M of 150 ships which carried the ex- pedition. Following the landings carrier-based planes kept up their j incessant hammering of Jap airfields, air-fields, apparently establishing a local, if temporary, supremacy. |