South Yorkshire Times, April 25, 1942

Second Front

The demand for the opening by the United Nations of a second front in Europe is not now so clamant as it was a few months ago, but those who are still importunate for such a move must surely be ignoring the change in the atmosphere which has made itself felt during the last few weeks.

Not so the Germans. Laval has been forced upon France as a super Quisling whom Hitler feels should at worst succeed in stultifying any plans which may be brewing for active revolt sponsored from across the Channel, while at best he may be good for some concrete collaboration of the sort extorted from the Balkan countries. German divisions which can ill be spared from the support of their harassed compatriots on the Eastern front are being spread along the Western seaboard.

Fighter squadrons are in such demand in the West that they outnumber the allowance allotted to back the spring drive against the Soviet armies. The straining Reich production machine must provide more and yet still more anti-aircraft guns to strengthen the barrage which feverishly yet vainly seeks to ward off the trenchant sorting of the R.A.F., which have really begun to hurt.

The threat which Hitler thought to end once and for all when he struck at Russia is arising in a new and menacing form. Then it was a question of eliminating the potential peril in the rear before turning to settle accounts finally with Great Britain. But the Red Army, unceasingly supplied with British and American war material, fights on and now Hitler must again cast an anxious eye to the rear. This time it is the shadow of an Anglo-American onslaught which looms so ominously. The war of nerves is recoiling on those who thought they had perfected it to their exclusive use. Pupil is even teaching master a thing or two.

Invasion is a two-way tactic. It still remains a probability well within the scope of German arms. But, now there begin to emerge portents which not only hint at, but even go so far as to demonstrate the possibility of British landings on the Continent. Wednesday’s Command thrust added yet another to the tally of these probes, the deadly efficiency of which grows with each fresh raid. Will o’ the Wisp sallies of this sort keep the Nazi on the jump and, immobilise troops and even heavy equipment which he would dearly like to utilize elsewhere. The scene and size of the next raid keep him guessing put him in a pretty dilemma.

In the meantime Belgium and Holland, the cockpit of Europe still, are being sown with land mines: fortifications are being flung up. German occupation troops dwell with increasing uneasiness among hostile people and with the ever-present nightmare of sudden and savage attack from the sea-shore and the skies.

The atmosphere is thick with suspense, but we have reached the stage when Germany must share its import. For the Reich, the second front intrudes itself stealthily but unmistakably. The flare-up may still be in either direction but the Hun is beginning to taste his own medicine, and it may not be over long before he has to swallow it.