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August 30, 1941.
Vast Scale of Russo-German Hostilities Offers
NEW
PROBLEMS
IN TACTICS OF MODERN WAR
By Major Alexander P. de Seversky
The vast scale of the terrain over which the war between Germany and Rus- sia is developing offers new problems in, the tactics of war- modern mechanised fare, especially, because of the unlimited scope it pro- vides for the operations of air forces. The enlarge- ment of a theatre of war. does not merely call for the multiplication of the same principles used in smaller areas. It calls for applica- tion of entirely different tactics. 3
own
From a strategic stand- point, therefore, the applica- tion of blitzkrieg methods to a region as huge as Appotising Breakfasts, Delicious Coffee, Tiffins, Teas, Snacks & Suppers and All-eastern Europe is especially Day Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Service. Significant. It merits close
observation by our military leaders.
But no matter how the German offensive unfolds, its first objective must be the capture of mastery of the air over the appointed battlefields. The conquest of this or that city will get the newspaper headlines. but the real decision will depend primarily on which nation obtains control of the skies,
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It seems clear that the Nazi high, command, in tackling the huge and high- ly mechanised Soviet Army, counted on a swift and re- latively easy victory. Only such optimism can explain a war against a country which seemed not only will- ing-but-eager to appease Germany with large con- cessions. On what did the Germans base their ex- pectations?
The answer, probably is their conviction that Ger- many has a distinct edge over Russia in the matter of military aviation. There
is not much doubt, in fact, that Hitler does possess such an advantage. While Soviet aviation is believed
to be numerically on a par with and certainly not much below Nazi aviation, the Germans have greater speed, better tactical balance of types of planes, and, what is equally crucial in aerial warfare, far superior behind-the-lines ground or- ganisations.
The failure of Germany to overwhelm the numerically in- ferior Royal Air Force in the battle of Britain must not con- fuse us as to the striking power Ger- of Hitler's Luftwaffe. many's aviation had not been built with an eye to all-air bat- tles across water, gaps, like the battle over the British Isles. It was developed for co-ordinated operation with tanks and other ground forces-in other words, for precisely the type of strug gle on which it is now engaged· in eastern Europe.
Soviet aviation is strong on sheer bulk, being largely equip ped with heavy-duty bombers capable of carrying substantial loads of explosive. This means that we can expect to see Ger- man-held eltics fiercely punished. in night bombardments. Such bombers, however, are relative ly unimportant in defence ace tion against the kind of fast- moving invasion which Stalin now facos,
For such-defence-he--noods rant/
Amanoquvrabla
highly
ful, is obliged to halt. The in- vaders cannot move too far from their bases and extend their lines indefinitely without stop- ping to consolidate.
If at that point the Russians have not been disorganised by political troubles or by soften- ing of morale under the Nazi punishment, Soviet hulk in terms of heavy if slow-moving bombers will begin to count and may conceivably tie up the whole Nazi venture. It is not impossible that the Russians, if convinced that defensive strategy holds little hope, will decide to retreat in good order to lines so deep within their sprawling country that the planes and dive bone of the Russian bombard, dynamic war will become a fighter
in these the ment aviation is the four-en- static war.
That is why the political as- bombors, and Russians are generally be- gined bomber type. But in the.
the Russo-German lieved by aviation obser- pursuit plane, which is tactic- pects of vers to be both deficient in ally most effective in a single struggle are especially vitál, type, the deficiency Hitler is not merely concerned numbers and, what is even more engine decisive, below the German shows up as a terrifle handicap. with conquering territory. He wants a docile and co-operative standards in quality. It was,
serious than its country as a reservoir of food,. in the final analysis, a twenty- five mile edge of speed over the pursuit and dive-bomber weak- fuel and other supplies for big- Nazis which enabled The ness is the matter of ground ger wars still ahead of him. It R. A. F. to deny the skies over organisation, to provide an un- is likely that he has a puppet Germany. Even interrupted flow of fuel, spare government all ready to set up England to small margins of qualitative parts and replacements for its in Stalin's place, or at least in This factor the regions which he plans to superiority of the Germans over aviation forces.
Strategists always maintain the Russians are likely to be no may not be apparent in the first occupy. less critical in the new conflict: weeks of the war, but may be-
Moscow's chief aviation dif- come increasingly evident as re- that the best defence is the most ficulty, it is known, has been in serves are exhausted. By con vigorous offence. But accord- the matter of aeroplane engines; trast, the efficiency of ground ing to history, Russians have and behind that difficulty is the organisation behind Germany's often ignored this axiom of war- familiar Soviet trouble with fighting lines has been one of fare. Russia's industrial output. Some years the marvels of this war, ago the Russians purchased manufacturing rights in Ameri- en to the Wright engine, which horsepower, They also bought strategic picture we
at that time did not exceed 900,
various
Even more
European emphasise
greatest de- fence, in the past, was vigorous self-destruction. The moat. famous such episode was in 1812, when the Russians des- However, to complete the troyed city after city in Napole
should on's path, ending with the burn- that the German Ing of Moscow. In view of this rights to
should' types. But all these acquisi- aerial advantage holds good national mentality, we tions were made rather early in only as long as the strug- not, be astonished if Stalin the race of world aviation pre- gle remains dynamic-a war of should he decide that further rapid movement.. There is al- resistance is impossible, will paredness,
ways the possibility that this turn the great Russian bombing Engine deficiency does not may in. time be transformed fleet against Russia's own oll Because of fields, industries and reserve necessarily affect the value 6f into a static war. bombers, since the total horse the great depth of the Russian materials, leaving to Hitler what point. must be Alexander I left to Napoleon power of the plane can be in objective, a
1041 by
crensed by additional engines. reached at which the German ashes.-Copyright That explains why the back- advance, no matter how success- United Press,
UFS
DOWN IN RUSSIA—Thoy'vo quit flying, these young Nazi airmen, at the suggestion of Soviet guns. They were shot down in Russia and now they're prisoners, with a riflo-armed Russian soldier guarding them. Radio picture flashed across the top of the world from
Moscow.
Good Whisky-
JOHNNIE
BOR
WALKER
1820 — STILL
OING STRONG
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