GD1938 v.3 BBLC

[cpdeyoung]

June 24th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

"Mere German fantasy" was how one staff officer we know described the reporting from the Caucasus front. It is clear that very little is know of the battles in this rather remote area. We shall be very general in our comments. The Russo-German front is the longest it has ever been. All military men agree that any extension of the front must be done with trepidation. If any of the German claims are true they are playing with fire. The Germans have pulled back in front of Moscow, perhaps to provide forces for exploits on this southern front. Lend-lease is fully ramped up. The Soviet presence in front of Moscow is immensely strong. All experts say Germany is in for a horrible surprise.

[cpdeyoung]

June 24th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Germans have admitted defeat in front of Moscow. They have pulled back from the Soviet forts, and have abandoned the offensive on this front. Muscovites are elated as the fortifications they built played a big part in this German defeat. We do not have a pipeline from Stavka but there must be furious planning as to how to exploit this triumph. When the British and Americans advance in the south the German tide will have turned.

[cpdeyoung]

June 24th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In China, the Japanese and British are exploring their new border.

[cpdeyoung]

July 22nd, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Germans have made a desperate lunge in the north. If it were allowed to stand it would be very bad for our allies, but it cannot stand. The Germans are getting wilder in their attempt to maintain the initiative. Now foolishness in the north has been added to folly in the south. Germany must know that they have active enemies. They cannot pretend to have all their own way.

[cpdeyoung]

July 22nd, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In the south the Germans continue to prefer surface to substance. We do not want to minimize the accomplishments of capturing the Caucasian oil. Germany needed this and obtained it. However some panzer divisions are not going to threaten India and the Middle East. We Americans are only now building up our strength. Our hard-to-kill M3 Grant tanks are appearing already, and the assembly lines are producing at a rate that will stagger the Axis. The good times for the Axis are ending.

[cpdeyoung]

July 22nd, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The question in the Far East is what are Japanese plans for the future. She can consolidate her gains in China, or seek more conquests. Cash in her chips, or seek another throw of the dice. We include some comments from our esteemed colleague.

[LarryBurstyn]

Walter Cronknut, Chief Reporter CBS Radio News, Delayed Broadcast
Edited Transcript.

French continue to build up their forces in Indochina the best they can.

British report heavy Indian casualties in the Caucuses. Some American troops have been reported in the area. The Soviets have turned over their troops in the region because the British can supply them better than the Soviets. Road construction has been completed in Northern Africa so now a road goes all the way from Casablanca to Cairo. Troops could be moved easily without the danger of interdiction between Casablanca and India. The last road segment is between the Middle East and Persia. The Indian troops have been building a road through Persia from India. Completion is expected to be in a few months. South African troops have been building a road between South Africa and Cairo and it is also expected to be finished soon. British officials have displayed a new Anti-Aircraft gun that can bring down even the highest flying bombers. A new median tank as well as a new naval bomber are now rolling off the assembly lines. British engineers have been seen north of Edinburgh but no reports as to what they are doing there--rumors have that they are completing a new shipyard or industrial center. Those rumors have been denied by the British authorities but they are not saying what all those engineers are doing there--perhaps a Port to send stuff to the new allies Norway and Denmark.

[BvB]

Pivo Rebyonek reporting north west of Moscow counter attacks destroyed 2 panzer and one infantry division

[cpdeyoung]

August 19th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The drive which cut both roads near Kalinin has been smashed. I received a communication from Germany to the effect that the commander knew the second hex was too far. It was paired with a ill directed retreat towards the east which allowed the Soviets a bigger bag. If only our Soviet allies were doing as well everywhere.

[cpdeyoung]

August 19th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The far front where American troops face the Germans. Our troops are seeing the elephant for the first time. We need seasoning, but are convinced our troops are among the finest in the world. Our tanks and aircraft are top notch and we are producing plenty of them. You see here the debut of a war winning force.

[cpdeyoung]

August 19th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

We present a German press release about a naval incident on the Black Sea, without comment.

[cpdeyoung]

August 19th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Japanese announcement of the destruction or surrender of the bulk of Chinese forces comes as no surprise. If China had every found an ally willing to fight Japan it would have been different.

It took the Japanese years to defeat the Chinese. Officers we know say they would never stand up to the European and American military forces. Their weakly armed Chi-Ha tank could not scratch the paint on a Matilda or Grant. The mighty tank arm of the Red Army would quickly put them in their place. Japan's aircraft hardly played a role in the Chinese defeat, and her Navy has lost much of its reputation. It is time for Japan to spend years digesting her spoils.

[cpdeyoung]

September 16th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

A source has told us that the Germans do not have a strategic objective in the north. The campaign there is operational. Leningrad is not a target this year.

[cpdeyoung]

September 16th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In the southern campaigns no one was able, or willing, to supply a map, so here is an overview.

[cpdeyoung]

October 14th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Our source in Germany says that Leningrad is still not an objective, but the troops took what they could get. There were some battles further south along the line, but in general things are quiet there.

[cpdeyoung]

October 14th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The roads from Egypt and India, and the sea lanes from the USA, will be full of troops coming to put a stop to German adventurism. The Germans will never be able to spare the troops to cover this expanse.

[cpdeyoung]

October 14th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Soviets are approaching the breaking point. Despite the massive aid we have sent to Russia the Germans are pushing on.

[cpdeyoung]

November 11th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The year 1940 has not been kind to the Allies. The boundaries of the Soviet Union are being rewritten every day. A long line seems to be open ended on the eastern flank. This flank could be secured if more troops were sent east, but more troops are a problem.

In the south the Germans are threatening the Middle East and seem to be approaching the Indian border, although in unknown strength. Great Britain is tight lipped about their forces on these fronts, but clearly this area will be active in the new year.

[cpdeyoung]

December 9th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Along the main portion of the Soviet-German front it is deep winter and things are rather quiet. Far to the South in the Middle East battles rage.

[cpdeyoung]

December 9th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Germany can force the USSR to stretch itself by applying medium resources in new areas. In the south of the Soviet Union there is no defined front line. A unit guarding a railroad line is a luxury. There is no particular objective here. The Germans want to go as fast as they can, as far as they can. Every thrust disrupts Soviet communications.