South Yorkshire Times June 17, 1944

Getting to Grips

These last ten days have been the most heartening since Britain took up arms against the all-pervading threat of Fascism in 1939. While it is still wise to let caution temper optimism, the Anglo-American invasion army has got its feet firmly planted on French soil and already seems to be doing a good deal more than merely hold its own.

Our footing is steadily being extended in the face of feverish German efforts to contain the bridgehead. Encouraging indirect evidence of the way the battle is swaying in our favour is contained in the varied and often contradictory explanations of the course of events which are being put out by Dr. Goebbels’ henchmen.

Delay in launching a heavy coordinated counter attack is variously explained as being due to the necessity of waiting until the Allied troops are out of the range of support from their own naval guns, to the importance of letting the British commanders commit themselves to the attack on Nazi communications despite indifferent flying weather, has seriously upset the defenders’ schedule of concentration. In addition the knots of airborne troops which have been showered over the hinterland have done magnificent work in obstructing the German army’s reaction to this challenge along the coast of Normandy. To read of the doings of these airborne units is a positive inspiration. In the annals of war men can rarely have faced so valiantly such appalling odds. The Germans themselves speak of fighting bitterer than anything experienced in Russia. It seems that the long period of waiting while the invasion plans ripened has left our men with a pent up power the release of which has overborne the enemy’s most savage attempts at retaliation. This elan has been noticeable throughout all formations, though its most spectacular manifestation has been in the exploits of the parachute and glider troops. It has effectively set at rest any fears that the long period of home training might have made our men stale.

Progress has been so stimulating and almost uniformly rapid since the Allies staked their first claim on the beaches last week, that there is perhaps a danger of public hopes outrunning military possibilities.

To expect too much, when so very much more than we had hoped for has already been achieved, will be to do a disservice to the men who are fighting their way into Hitler’s Fortress of Europe. By all accounts the German soldier is still offering the most determined resistance, and is very far from showing signs of demoralisation even though bereft in the Normandy sector of the comforting protection of his West Wall. What we have won has been won by dint of valour, endurance and, where conditions have demanded it, the selfless sacrifice of life itself. No skill of statesmen and strategists can avoid the inescapable price once such a, fight to the finish as we are now witnessing has started. Germany has sold her soul to the Nazi devil and shows every sign of allowing herself to be driven in blind submission to her own ruin.

That means that her armies will be made to fight as long as fighting is a physical possibility. That, but for any unpredictable development, is the measure of the task before us, and it is well that we should face its stern implications. Our fighting men have made a gallant beginning. From the Home Front they have a right to expect a united, understanding and industrious backing. Much has been done, but much more still remains to do.