Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 20 September 1941
Hit That !
There is no mistaking the latest order of President Roosevelt. He has thrust out his enormous jaw and Hitler must punch or pack up. The order to the American Navy to deal with everything that interrupts the flow of Lease-Lend from the United States to Iceland is a masterly stroke of “non-belligerency.”
We thank Mussolini for teaching us that word: Roosevelt has shown him that it is a word two can use. The entry of the American Navy does not decide the battle of the Atlantic but it is the equivalent of a fresh army thrown in at nightfall after a day of exhausting conflict. It commits the United States absolutely to the Atlantic defeat or withdrawal of Hitler. There can be no doubt of the impression this mighty reinforcement is making on the rogue races and on those who would be rogues if they dared—in particular upon Japan, who at last realises the readiness of the United States for war—naval war now, total war soon.
They Shall Not Pass
Russian resistance also has given Japan pause. The bear, though torn and bleeding, is still formidable. The Russians continue to absorb practically the whole of Germany’s offensive strength, reinforced on the flanks by the misguided Finns and the depraved Rumanians. Our ally is hard pressed and three great Russian cities are in sore danger. Nevertheless, the invader is caught in a vice and is pouring out rivers of German blood for leagues of scorched earth and rubble. In the centre even that is being forced from his grasp and the counter-offensive of the greatest of the Russian generals may yet unlock the hold the German have got on the neck and toe of Russia. During the first week of the Russo-German war, while the panzers were racing across eastern Poland, we asked a well-known English journalist who has spent the last five years in Russia, what would be the outcome. “I don’t know,” he said, “but the Russians will be fighting at Christmas.” That heartening prediction seems certain to be fulfilled and long before next spring British and American aid should be really effective.
It was good to learn of an R.A.F. wing already operating with the Russians. Short of a new expedition to the Continent, men, machines, and material, thrown into the Russian battle line form the most effective means of support. We have apparently dropped the idea that persistent bombing of Germany will decide the struggle in the East. By all means let the bombing go on, until the barbarians writhe under such torments as they have loosed upon the world; but Russia have suffered grave losses which can only be made good by direct allied reinforcement. Thanks to the action in Iran the way is open to quick and effective reinforcement in the region most gravely threatened, the region in which German success would revive the threat to Egypt, Palestine, and India.
Lord Beaverbrook, with that vivid touch which he shares so abundantly with the Prime Minister, to the impoverishment of the rest of the Government, crystallised the situation by demanding the whole of our tank production next week for Russia and a “bumper” week at that. Meanwhile Leningrad calls to London – deep to deep – declaring her unshakable determination to endure all that London has endured until the day of vengeance for all Hun-ravished cities.