1940-05-17 — Page 4

PACE 44ONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

FOURTH

The Nazi Military Bible: INSTALMENT

Ewald Banse, the author of Nazi, Germany's military “bible", tells to-day what Germany really thinks of her erstwise. ally, Italy.

Professor Banse wrote, in 1933, the text- book of the German military machine. A copy of his publication,, which was supposed to be distributed only in German military circles, came into the hands of a London publishing firm, which issued an English translation, des- pita strenuous efforts by the Nazis to prevent re-publication.'

Professor Banse's indiscretions permit us to know, in even more astonishing detail than does "Mein Kampf," what Germany planned when "Der Tag" came. Previously chapters have dealt with Germany's plans to invade Holland, Belgium, plans which we have already seen put into effect. Yesterday's chapter des- cribed the plan to invade England.

Now read what Banae has to say about

Italy. Remember that the text that follows Italian tanks demonstrating in a great review of 23,000 men of the Italian forces in Libya:. A swarm of small

is the opinion of Germany.

TF it were true that

IF

territory, of itself and alone, could determine, could shape the destiny of nations, then Italy would be the permanent leading state in the Mediterranean basi-a part, however, which she played for a few centuries only. in classical times.

Within the Mediterranean, however, Italy occupied the same sort of position Germany in the North: given

CH

hardy people under streng leadership, her central position allows her to dominate in all directions from the Pillars of Hercules to the Euphrates.

But if her people are weak and divided among themselves, Italy will be the sport of foreign- era who CD land nt any point on her long coast Hne and bestilde the peninsula in a few days.

That has always been Italy'a wenk point-an enemy may not only land where he pleases (the coast abounds in natural har- bour) but can approach "from" two different directions and cut off part of the country.

She cannot prevent-this, for she dare not render her army powerless by dispersing it in all directions, or no part will be strong enough at the deci sive point.

Military

Importance

Northern Italy is of military Importance for five reasons:

(1) The line of the Po and the parallel running lower streams form strong of its tributaries positions against north and south, though they often expose, the plain to floods, since some of them flow in elevated beds, the ean be embankments of which pierced. (2) Northern Italy is industry. the centre of Italian

national und food production effort, so that. Its loss would pro- bably break the country's defon- sive will and power of resistance. (3) The Alpine foothills are very dificult to hold against an enemy offensive from the Alps, and very unsuitable for an advance by Italian troops against the moun-. tan valleys; that is why Italy has been so keen to get possession of tho which in the watersheda, Tyrol are situated very far north. (4) The plain of Lombardy-pro- jects into Venetia in a dangerous- direction, eastward ly north

Italian an means that which army on the Isonzo or the Carin. than front may be cut off and taken prisoner; by an enemy at tacking from southern Tyrol in the direction of Padua.

This was a cherished plan of Conrad's, but unfortunately could net be carried out in the world necessary war for lack of the

troops. (5) The weakness of the western side of the Alps, which present Italy with an almost im- pregnable precipice and leave the French passes th Important. hunds,

An Italian offensive against France on this front would offer no hope of success, and "oven; h the Nice gap, which, though strongly fortified, consiliates a natural opening, success could only be gained at the cost of heavy fonsen.

To sum up, the line of the Isonzo, the gap created by the Elachtal and the Doberdo Plateau in the Karst mountains, which adjoins it on the cast, the valleys of the western Alps and the Nice gateway are the weak spots of northern Italy from the military point of view... In case of a simultaneous attack. from several of these points Italy would,

it In

Is true, have the advan

machines advancing in a cloud of dust.

WHAT HITLER THINKS OF

the ITALIANS

not be relied upon for the sangfroid necessary at such a juncture.

If a knowledge of psychology Is useful against any people, it is use- ful against the Italians.

Cannot Fight

Modern War

Italy is not in an economie posl tion to carry on a modern war without Importing and, further the length of her coast line places her at all times at the mercy of the strongest sea power.

These two factors greatly. diminish: her military capacity, and a third cause les in the un- reliable "character-of-her- people,

re- The Southern Italian is a flection of the Mediterranean scenery with its glowing colours,

Short of stature and dark of hue, he le entirely the slave of his emo- mood will suddenly tions; his change from indolent ease to vlo- lent nervous tension and excite- ment,

The tension, however, does not signify on unremitting pursuit of any goal, for he has no such fixity excilement and, his of purpose, dying down as quickly as it flored up, he returns to his previous state of dull apathy.

Indolence and passion are always striving for the mastery, in him; he Is all compact of unrellability and specious appearance,

and every- where a vast and in most cases unbridgeable gulf yawns between Intention and achievement.

and

He is very fond of maturing plans -in his head, but has neither the wish nor the perseverance to carry Is to him them out; the thought

All his geeso As good as the deed.

certainly his are swans,

often look well enough, schemes but all usually turns out to be just a pretty pose. Appearance con- coals reality, the agile mind clonka the Infirm purpose.

The military value of a nation with these moral qualities is more than questionable. The Italian is essentially unmilitary, and when is dressed In uniform. he

truts

Ie

his sabre, hoping tha rattling out flashing his eyes and everyone will look at him. He is play acting, this time in the part of the soldier.

Faced, however, with the serious prospect of real soldiering or war- fart, the common Italian complains loudly and shrinks at the thought of exertion, wounds and death, while his officers fail to grasp the necessary measures and lose time over inessentials.

Is it to be wondered at that Italian strategy exhibits the hesi and tation, timidity, indecision doubt characteristic. of the Mediter- Italian con- ranean race, that on stently imagines himself surround. ed by enemy traps, and that his un- developed sense of responsibility leads to inefficiency In the organl

and reinforce- sation of supplies meniskas kl

Subject To

Panic

And when the dialinna find them.

on the Isonzo front at the end of October 1917, there is no holding tiem. Universal pante sets in and. each man thinks only of saving his

Lago of a very dense follway-selves in a really tight corner as system, but this asset would be overywhere imperilled by the nor rownesi of the plain from the north to the south (which could be traversed in a two days or even In one big day's march); moreover the Italian national character.could

own skin.

The character of the Northern Itellan- not of such uniform, colle

bre. He is of more mixed blood, while hardened by a more rigorous elinate than the Southerner.

For the most part, the Northern- ers are taller und stronger, and fairer, sometimes quite fair, in complexion,

race.

They do-not-to-the-same-extent. sacrifice thought to feeling. al- though, compared with Germans, they too are an emotional Their thought is not of course so collected as the pure Teuton's, but ther il distinguishes them from Southern compatriots.

their In addition to

Mediter- canean traits, the Northern Italiane possess something of the creative energy and enterprise of the Nordle Inces, the industry and canniness of the Eastern, the savagery of the Dinaric: and, in the best of them, these qualities, though compara- find expression in lively diluted,

While achievements, jemarkable the Southerner seldom passes from the will to the deed, the Northerner sets a clearer purpose before him and not infrequently, reaches his Koal.

From the military point of view, the North Italian makes a tougher soldier less concerned for his own safety, and A most resolute and efremspect officer.

which

Among the Alpine peasantry are soldiers of whose spirit any army might be proud, and the belter class youth in the big cities of is ted with an Northern Italy enthusiasm and patriotic fire that will carry it through much.

these qualitles, But shine to brightly in comparison with the Southern Italian char- acter. quickly fade before these of Germans and Frenchmen.

Public spirit, and the sense of duly are not so strong among the mass of North Italians as to cause the individunt to put the com munity's needs before his own and to make him the latter's willing Instrument.

A long course of very stern dis- cipline may possibly extract from the Northern Italians more than but contact has yet appeared, with the Southerners will always, it may be presumed, have a demor alising and weakening effect, with the result that the total italian effort will always be less than a Northern Italian effort alone would be.

Itallas

The character of the prople as a whole may, from the point of view of national defence, be shortly described us follows:

Snatching eis

At Chestnuts

Its main feature is a passionate and quickly spent impetuosity. It long nervous connot endure strain, which produces headtong: ponie, The Italian is eager for the fruits of victory and the victor's laurels, but at a minimum riak

He is very clever at snatching the chestnuts which he has allowed others to pull out of the fire for him.

always On this account ho taken the side of the stronger and is unrellable both as an ally and a companion in arms.

He Ands it very dimeult to get through the arduour and Licon spicuous spade work which le business of war demands, for ho wants to play a prominent part and to hear his exploits praised."

EXGEMĪVS) The unreliability, caution and timidity, of the line

Han character were on the whole correctly estimated by our higher command. in the War and, when Italy declared, war on May 23, 1015, I did nói allow itself to be offensive the diverted from against Russia which had begun at Gorlice on May 1, but followed It up vigorously until August.

It was actually four weeks alter their declaration of war that the Italians ventured upon their first offensive on

on the Isonzo. The German

government เอก never at any time have expected much help against France from Italy's adherence to the Triple Alliance in 1982, although betha Bismarck and Moltke reckoned that It would keep a certain number of French troops busy In the western- Alps.

in 1888, however, it was agreed that an Italian force of five army divisions corps and two cavalry (about 200,000 men in all) should reinforce our left wing in Alsace.

Schlieffen, it is true, was con- vinced that this support could not be safely reckoned upon, as public opinion, which counied for more. in Italy than in the Germany of that day, would oppose the cm- ployment of Italian troops abroad. He considered, too, that owing to and the delays in mobilisation shortcomings of the Italian and Tyrolese railways, the Italian forces would arrive too late to affect the rapid decision relied upon in the west. Schileffen went so far as to think that the Italian alliance detain French would not even troops in the western Alps!

the Unfortunately,

younger Molike did not share his prede- cessor's view of the Italian staff, not realling that the Southerner always promises whatever is ex pected of him, without any de- "Titaito" idea of keeping his word.-- In 1913 Italy definitely under- took to dispatch an army of three corps and two cavalry divisions a smaller force than originally con- templated-but the promise was rendered nugatory at the outset by the statement that the advance de- tachments would not arrive on the other side of the Alps until 19 days after mobiliaallon, from which It could be deduced that the main force of this small army would not be ready for battle until at least five weeks after mobilisation-ap- proximately the date fixed for the first decisive engagements.

This was altogether too late to be of any real assistance to the Germans, though it gave Italy plenty of time to play her fa- vourile ginie of waiting” to-see- which was the cat would Jumy. Can't Count On Her

Help

The military lesson to be learnt from-this Italian attitude is that northern powers will do best to dispense with the services of Italian troops north of the Alps as the de- lays are jou great, and should. rather enlloy them against France within Italy itself,

If, however, it is desired to use. an auxillary Italian army in the north (in order, perhaps, to make better of Italy's strengil than may be possible on the difficult western Alpine. front), Italian help should not be counted upon in the first decalvo battles, but be held

·in ·reserva': T

Te might, however, be beller:

"

considering whether the strong Italian navy, which is superior to the French Mediterranean Acet, should not land an army on the south cost of France.

The appearance of such a force in Provence or Languedoc (even if It made comparatively little pro- far greater gress) would make a Impression upon France and have much more serious effects upon the German front than the inter- vention of Italian troops along the Upper Rhine.

Another matter worth consider- Italian march

ing

and

would be an

through the valleys of the Rhone Aare towards the Jura and the Bellegarde gap,

That Italy should at first remain neutral (though she had in reality already taken sides against us) and not enter the last War on the Al- Bed släc till ten months later. night almost have been expected. It was wholly in keeping with her psychology, which prompts ker to watch carefully for a chance et easy success, but to stake nothing.

To this must be added the quite natural wish to win back tailan nationals living on foreign coll, al- though these could just as well be claimed from France or oven from neutral Switzerland as from Aus- tria.

France has Italian subjects In Savoy, Nice, Corsica, Tunla and castern Algeria; in Switzerland they all the whole canton of Ticino; the Italian subjects of Austria in the southern Tyrol, western" Istria and paris of Dalmatia were well outnumbered by the fallans ir France.

Hence Italy could have satisled much her Irredentist ambitions more easily at France's expense. But the Italian Government thought that the Central Powers would be beaten, and the entry of Great Britain Into the War was, a deciding factor, for Italy's supplies of food and raw materials were at

all

powerful the mercy of the British navy.

The flag, in fact, that files over Gibraltar and tite Suez Canal will always determine Italian io the in preference policy strongest milliary power. In the north,

Full Price

Of Treachery

Although al no point victorious, Italy received from the Allies the treachery-in full price of her particular, the whole of the south- Its Bourishing Tyrol with German culture. Istria with the Alpine foreland to the north and parts of Dalmatia.

ern

But she has at the same time found herself saddled with certain things from which she was free far more marked before; Brstly, antagonism to France and a much greater disparity between her own

and the power

enormously creased power of cance no longer

check by

by the German Ern- held in

creation of

of u pice; secondly, the

the north cast, new enemy to France's ally against Italy. Yugo- 'Slavia, who challenges Hollan Adriatic and supremacy in the stretches out hands towards Istrin and the territory of the Isonzo,

Thirdly, Austria still cherishes the hope of regaining at any rate the German parts of the southern Tyrol, as far, that is to say, as the Saturno, Pa..

Red Far

East Army

Shanghal, May 16. Reporis circulating here state that: General Grigory Stern, former Divisional Commander of the For Eastern-Rod Army, who, it is be

the Hoved, directed troops during later slags of the Soviet-Finnish hostilities, has returned to the Far East to assume an important post.

It will be recalled that Stern, who General was the successor of Bluecher, commanded the Soviet forces at Nononhan last year.

The Japanese press here cominont“ that General Stern's return is an in- dication, that Russia is stengthening her military power in the Far East." -Reuter.

Friday, MAY 17, 1940.

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