The Burden of Success

The Allied high commands were a trifle worried last week: the people and press of the U.S. and Britain were just too damned happy. Prudent military thought that the headlines would have been nearer the mark if they had put less emphasis on bombing or on Winston Churchill's references to approaching amphibious operations, more on his sobering words: "I shall make no predictions. . . . We are prepared to win this war by hard fighting, and if necessary by hard fighting alone."

Mr. Churchill, telling the House of Commons about his recent trip to Washington and North Africa, naturally revealed nothing of Allied plans. But he did indicate that the timing of those plans may have been stepped up. Said he: "To have the initiative is an immense advantage. At the same time it is a heavy and exacting responsibility. . . . We have shown that we can face disaster. We have still to show that we can keep ourselves at the height and level of successful events and be worthy of good fortune."

Some accounts took these and other Churchill remarks to mean that invasion of the European continent is near. But if the Prime Minister gave any guide at all to the impending sequence of events in Europe, it was in a reference to Russia: "It is here," fre said, "that the greatest battles seem to impend." His estimate of Axis strength in Russia: 190 German, 28 satellite divisions.

Mr. Churchill let drop a revealing remark about the forces based in Africa, the way station to southern Europe, and in Britain and Ireland, the Allied bases nearest northwestern Europe. He said that the British, American and French armies in Africa form "a most powerful and finely tempered weapon." He then referred to "the more numerous and powerful forces--British, Canadian and American--which have formed and are forming in the United Kingdom." In other words, the weapon for attack on southern Europe already exists; a mightier weapon for heavier assault on the Continent from Britain is still in the making.

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