News of war on all fronts this August 7th.
A grave possibility that the left wing of the Russian Army of the Caucasus, which Moscow says 1s still battling Nazi invaders south of Kushchevka, has been trapped was indicated by Berlin versions of the South Russian battle, The Germans claimed also capof important Armavir more than 100, miles pounds south, and penetration of Russian lines across Kuban to within 30 miles of the Malkop oll field. It still seems possible, however, that the fighting along the Yeya river, south of Kushchevka, Is rearguard action to cover the Red retreat below the Kuban in the sector between the Azov sea coast and the line of the Rostov-Baku rallway, German claims of the capture of Yelsk, Azov sea port 70 miles due west of Kushchevka on the lower end of the Bay of Taganrog, tends however, to confirm the impression the main body of the Russian forces in the northwest corner of the Caucasus above the Kuban have made good Its escape to may the Yeya river line.
Meanwhile, the “second front” seems controversial only in the matter of timing. Most civilians in this country see or sense the need of a diversion that will be beneficial to the beleaguered Russians. Simply as a selfish maneuver, one undertaken only with self-preservation in mind, a “second front” would recommend itself because of the vital military importance of the Russian military machine. If the Russian armies were crushed or “sterilized” the position of the United Nations in this war would be much more precarious than it is now. Thus even Americans who are not sentimental toward sia for ideological or other reasons approve of the “second front”in principle.
And finally, The darkening political picture in India worries Washington – if you can judge from the editorial comment. There has been no new official indication of the American attitude. It is fair to say up to this time most Americans have felt sympathy with India’s aspirations and have largely taken a too superficial view of obstacles to its accomplishments. Gandhi’s flirtations with the Japanese, his threat of blackmail tactics against the British, have shifted public opinion rapidly. Many people are saying what the Washington Post says this morning.
‘The only hope of independence which India has, lies with Allies.” Cordell Hull’s View. If there is an official view, it is the one expressed in Secretary of State Cordell Hull’s recent broadcast. He said that only those nations willing to fight for it deserved the privileges of freedom. You can be assured that the Nationalist Congress appeals to Roosevelt, etc., aren’t going to change that attitude. Gandhi’s mystical approach to war baffles average American.
And that’s just a small slice of what went on the war front, this August 7, 1942 as presented by NBC and their Roundup of World News.
