THE CHINA MAIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1958. z
Another attack on Churchill's
war strategy -ALANBROOKE'S TOO.
OMEONE had
So
to
have the last word
on the Second Front.
It looks as if it may well go to Trumbull Higgins, an American professor of his- tury, who has written searching, exhaustive study. of this great controversy in Winston book enlled
11
#
Churchill and the Second Front (Oxford University Press, New York).
Due for publication here shortly, its appearance is likely to have loud and wounding repercussions
Amongst those military ex- perts who had settled back in the smug assumption that we had decisively won this particular argument.
PROVED RIGHT?
Hind no: Chester Wilmot's Struggle for Europe and Lori Alunbrooke' diaries. nut 1 inention Churchill's
WTH proved memoirs, conclusively that the British were right and the Americans pitifully wing of the cross- about the timing Channel invasion of Europe?
Mr Higgins will not have it so.
based usin
the Ils researeb,
examination meticulous
MILTON SHULMAN AGREES: BUT SEE TOMORROW'S
CHINA MAIL FOR A DEVASTATING REPLY
over
AN extraordinary book has boon published in America, a closely documented book that adds up to the donunciation of most massive Churchill's wartime strategy written. Should there have been a Second Front in 1942? Did Churchill's objections prolong the war? To both these questions, the book answers YES. the MILTON SHULMAN
supports
author. Tomorrow we print the views of a writer who does not. He says "Nonsense!"
Greece, Italy, North Africa, an be augmented by minor offen- <pportunist
colonial şives along Germany's periphery Type of warfare which stacked the la the Mediterranean and
Nazi Scandinavia. L'anks
edges of ลาน Germany, rather than the direct Between the Americans and
desperate, #
bitter awault against the heart of his Churchill alrongest enemy,
struggle raged as to which of There was certainly a great these strategic concepts should
it
always deal of togle In this polley when preval. Ard
Was and Churchill's doquence and logic we were nghting lune unable to take on the formidable that persuaded Roosevelt to
overrule his militery advisera. pawer of the Wehrmacht.
--
PRESSURE
Bal once America eame Into the war at the end of 1041, the potcutin overwhelming strength of the Allies required a serimus version of
British strategy.
For the year 1942 the Ameri- The way to win the war, E-
cans felt something had to be cording to Generci Arnold, was
done to relleve the Germani Germany "where simply to hit
pressure on Russia. Their plans where she 15 varied from
a sperifice landing Deress the In France to the establishment Channel from England, using of a small base of operations on the shortest and most direct the Cotentin Peninsula (near roud to Berlin." This was also Cherbourg), which would be the view of Slimson, Marshall and Eisenhower,
almost 46) volumes of source material, shreds the British case of Sony. tattered stripa mecial plending and heaps EL derogatory com- incuntain of ment over Churchill's reputation hurts mosi. as a strategist. And it will nerd strongest right more than indignan: apoplexy to answer his case.
Mr Tuggins is out la show that the Allied decision not t
vade France in either 1942 or 1943 was a disastrous policy that Jengthened the war and in the end cont needless lives. That policy was the direct result of the erratic, defensive, persuttive theories of Churchill's concept of warfare.
the blendunth of Baunted by Be Dardanelles, Churchill was determined at all costs to avoid the wholesale slaughter caf 2131- other generation of British men, This deep-rooted, almost sub- Ponscious, fear of heavy casual- les caused Churchill to seek out every means of winning the war without irrevocably committing huge masses of British troops in one declaive action,
He preferred an
to victory. approach Betinn In Norway.
PRECEDENCE
Although Churchill agreed that the Atlantic theatre of war should have precedence over the Preile, he eitd not agree tha! had to be defeated Germany before Baly. Indeed, Churchil's strategy envisaged a collapse of Germany without large forces of troops ever Anglo-American coming into direct conillet with the Wehrmacht.
expanded in 1943,
Unfortunately all these plans depended upon a large contribu- lion of British land forces, and the British pointed out that it was out of the question, since la the autumn of 1942 there were landing-ernt available for only ane division.
But it was obvious that the Anglo-Americans would have to the enemy seriously engage
time In some
1042. And conscious of Roosevelt, promise lo Stalin for a second front and realising that the Americans would have to do Be relied chiefly upon the some Oghting in 1942. agreed to demoralising effect of pulveris- Churchill's plan for an Invasion ing strategie bombing of Ger- of North Africa. miny and felt that in 1942 and Realising that
the most likely Stimson Indirect 1043 this was
tange way of bringing about Ger- patient with Rhodes, many's downfall." This
were
Marshall and becoming im-
was to to commit himself to a cross-
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Channel
were there
wus
It's a word you
She sat before me now,
need not fear·· SOME people dread a certain birthday. Mrs Page, for example. At 60 she accepted con- gratulations with a wan smile. It was as if she danger of collapso and from an Britain's strength on Innd was had guessed the future. It was as if she had scen Industrial standpoint German cagoged against the Italians. munitions production increased Until 1944 most of the American something macabre in the writing of the stars. more than three times between divisions were fighting the 1942 and 1944.
Japanese, Were there enough landing Fram carly 1941 until June, and I knew what she was think- craft? Higgins claims that 1944 the entire strength of the My Mother died ut 60. What about me? People say I invasion-they
nothing more British Empire and the Com-
Her man- constantly threatening to give calculated to create a shortage monwealth Intermittently fought have her blue eyes.
Therefore why not the Pacific war priority over the of landing craft than Churchill's between two and eight derman nerima,
were her life span? Atlantic-rge-écule
the divisions. The Russians commando reluctance to use them in
German divisions engaging 100 rafds like Dieppe were under- Channel. taken for what Mountbatten
during most of this period. And the Amerlents during 1943 and described
"political
first Ave months of 1044 Tensors."
This disastrous operation not
Each time there seemed the never fought more than four or only brought about a heavy loss hope of a second front, the pro- five German divisions. So much of He but gave the Germans duetion priority of landing craft for the theory Germany Brati
In how was raised. Each time Fac rome valuable lessons
Higgins dismisses almost con-brother Sid has such and such
the
Wilmot's an Illness, therefore I may get Channel
was taken, templuously Chester coast should be diversionary action defended IL also stimulated this priority was dropped. Had theals that Church!!! was trying it. Perhaps
as far family? the Fuhrer into ordering
Churchill acrlously wanted land- to block Soviet power ing craft for an all-out invasion back ax 1942 and that this building of the Atlanlle Wall.
his Mediterranean effort, Higgins claims that they justified It was apparently obvious to
would have been available. everyone but Churchill and Itoosevelt that the invasion of North Africa would prevent A second front in France in 1943. Once committed to the Mediter ranean, the Allies had no alter native but to remain there since there was no shipping available to bring them back to England
has
in time for Channel assault.
The
4
05
1043
LUKEWARM
suthor
the
cross-
PRIORITY
11-month
the
policy.
serious consideration to possibility.
من أنا
27
"Yes," she confessed, "There
one, word in the English vocabulary that frightens me."
It That word was heredity. la a thought that gives concern ta талу. They think: Mu
TENA La the
No fear
Mos!
A certain age, and when that particular birthday comes round Not only And was Churchlil right about
there no evidence
they start missing beats or have. how much blood would be spilt for this theory. but Churchill's based upon
people worry un palpitations. An electro-cardia- in an invasion of France? The policy was largely
भ्र Russian defeat necessarily, Few llnesses have ram shows that the heart to
normal. campaign the fear of decisive
en hereditary basis. Just con- from the Channel to Berila cost rather than an assumption that sider twins. Probably
It would become a great powerbody may know
every- "The stomach symptoms and the British only 30,000 dead,
one who may the heart symptoms are simply Higgins compares this with Only in 1944 did Churchill give be unwell when the other is
I the result of nervousness," Indecisive period from
tbursting with good health. the
told
Mrs Page. "Some people September 1943, May 1944, In
"But tan etrange." Mrs become heart or stomach con- Itely, which cost 14,300 deaths
Page insisted, "that until my acleus because THE VERDICT?
they remember and gol us nowhere, and the
sixtieth birthday never came a certain significant birthday. two sindin half years took 12
to your surgery from one Leep An ache, a twinge which they Future Allled divisions to push 12 Axis
historians and
Now 1 seem would have pasard of u year divisions some 2,000 miles from graphors of Churchill will have
to be seeing you regularly, Isn't before, they now think to accept
Winston nr reject
to ba Egypt to north-east Rely.
that my significant
health sinister." Even more remarkable is the before
Churchill and the Second Front
reaching
seems to be brecking down this Anal their the British and verdicts. fact that, since
year of all years?" Americans had bots agreed that
deelde will hove to
Many people, remembering Germany had to be beaten whether Churchill was right in
that their fathers had a stomach could end, how disregarding the advice Churchill right? before the war
of his disease on such ard such #. American troops ancestor, Anglo
One thing I was sure of. When Marl- birthday, develop gastric symp were in actual contact with the borough,, that in the long run
loms
that Q11
birthday.
Mrs Page reached the age of Wehrmacht before Overlord,
the pursult of victory without stomach X-ray shows nothing 61 her health would be restored slaughter is likely to eventuate obnormal.
to what it was when she was 59. In slaughter without victory,
But people shouldn't even go -¡London Express Service). la heart attack when he reached through one year worrying un-
necessarily.
Asser:5
1:at
even, Jukewarm Churchill was about the invasion In 1944 and that attempts were mode to reduce Overlord 10 P
limited diversion on the Channel coast.
Well, WIS One by one, Higgins destroys Churchill's orgaments against #e second front, Could the war be won by strategie homb- Thus, from the spring of 1940 Ing
and the surrender There is no evideneg that
of Italy in German mornic was ever in September, 1943, iht inuilr of
few
They
the Duke of
Year to another?
it
A
Others recall that father had
When A Policeman
Retires-What Does
He Miss Most?
THE_top_cop_other-
wise Sir John Churchill's failure Reginald Hornby Nott- Bower, KCVO, Commis- sioner, Metropolitan Police rummaged
IN THE CASE OF SIR JOHN NOTT-BOWER
IT WILL BE LONDON'S POLICE HORSES-
'I BOUGHT EVERY ONE
by RAMSDEN GREIG
PERSONALLY'
through the pile of probationary assistant superin. with the Home Secretary and he am happy to say that he
official papers that it tendent. tered the big desk at assistant tilles."} Scotland Yard.
"
("It took seven years has authorised me to say he has to lose the probationary and complete confidence in the integrity of the Metropolitan Police."
Professional
They found also that he could be a stickler for minor detail, In Twenty-two years later he 1055 every station in the Metro
men
.
the
"I thanked the polleeman for His courtesy, complimented him on his emelency--and then fold Elm was his Commissioner.
reported the matter in usual way."
In his flat
policeman retires what does he miss most?
In the case of the Commis- stoner i will, paradoxically, be A horse.
When
Needless worry
"Some things are hereditary surely?" Mrs Page asked. "Tko insanity."
Here again she was assuming too much. Often a relative who is a little "mental" may 50 because of a physical illness. Even
be dementia may
the result of arterial disease and not something to da with the family horftage. There ard many external causes alio that nay lead to a relative "brecking down."
In the case of heart disease. a parent who died of it may have done so not because of an Inborn weakness of the heart but through some Infection which that parent suffered from as a child,
can
#
"I'm thinking of diphtheria or scarlet fever," I said.
Occasionally diphtheria affect the heart. But how often now do we hear at people con- tracting diphtherla?
The Incl is that our greatest heritage s health. More-the
inesses that our fothers or grandfathers contracted fre no longer the killing discases they once were
Nothing wrong
nothing for you to worry about, "You see," I said, "there's
Mrs Page. All that's wrong la loved that you
have identified your
"I've He explained:
. When eventually he de- tected hia filter-tipped cigarettes, he said: "I am
came home from India to be a politan area received blast chief constable of the Metro about chewing gum-"a practice retiring after five years
25 politan Police. By 1940 he was that must stop immediately." Commissioner because Ian Assistant Commissioner. By There has not been a riick of think it is a mistake for 1953 he was the Commissioner. chewing LETTL sold in a police horses since my years in India.self with your mother." anyone to stay too long in a that plensed the
The final appointment was one canteen since.
I know every police horse on Not that daughters neces- big job. There is no other beat.
on the
Yet the man who modestly the streets of London. I ought | sarily identify themselves with reason.
a unprising to, admits to quelling
bought every one their mothers, or sons with their At last they had a professional of the Hindustan Socialist personally."
fathers. docan't work that I waited for the man who has Instead of a civil servant control- Republican Army showed that Could I then assume that, way. But we generally think of been a policeman for 47 years In the Metropolitan area. They he was capable of forgetting eventually, I would hear of him ourselves, especially as we grow to investigate the Case of the found that even their chlef. ttle thing like keeping his with a house in the country and older, in the image of one or Missing Matches.
thought the London poilceman Read Fund licence up to date. a field full of horses?
the other, parent, When he located them (under was wonderful.
Sir John said: "One of my
"You will still find me," said When it comes to liness and the current issue of the Federal When an Old Balley case own constables 'booked' me for Sir John, “In my flat in Old to the life epan, the best thing Bureau of Investigation Bulletin) Involving alleged police corrup- that offence. He was a young Brompton Rond. You must to do is to think of that relative, he said: "Although what I am tton was in progress, Sir John constable, very poille I reinem understand, sir, they don't pay however distant, who has lived going to do now I really don't paraded 200 men at Savile Row ber. He told me to get my fortunes 10 police commis- the longest. know, I suppose I ought to write police station and told them; "I llcence renewed or I would find loners."
u book. But I won't.
"There have been too many books written about the pollee. Dad ones as well as good ones. For the time being I'll fish and golf and catch up от my reading."
Old style
And the literary tastes of a police commissioner?
"Not unnaturally,” · sold Sir John, "I consume a fair por- tion of crime fiction. But at 00 I suppose you will consider my Lastes old-fashioned. Conan Doyle and Agatha Christle, you understand.
"Mickey Spillane? And who, sir, is Mickey Spillane?"
I suggested facetiously that | the Metropolitan Polles Commis
sioner might while away his retired time watching the pelivi- of Scotland Yard пе portrayed by the television companies.
Hes
Television?" said Sir John. "Bahi It has a bad effect on young impressionable minda. Violence shown on television, has been one of the causes of Increased crime.
"I wouldn't have a television set in my home."
Yet he has used commercial television to attack television. He told TV Interviewer Robin Day that crime had gone up since 1935 and, although fi, was dimoult to put a finger on any particular cause, violence on Television and perlain American filma had a contributory effect.” The route Sir John Nott-Bower took to the top police job in Britain started In. 1911 when be Joined the Indien 'Police as a
-(London Express Service).
have been in the closest touch myself in trouble.'
JAK GIVES A DRIVING LESSON
CEDRIC CARNE
"Oh darling, isn't it so much easier to dzire when there are no buses on the roads."
London Express Burette,