Extract from a letter from Michael MacWhite to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(Private and Confidential)

[matter omitted]

There is little doubt that the British have recently taken a heavy toll of Axis shipping in the Mediterranean and crippled Rommel's supply lines, thereby immobilising his troops in the Western Desert. Hitler's failure to make good his promise about the capture of Stalingrad is making people realise that German arms are not invincible. The German offensive against Russia this year may now be considered at an end with their main objective unattained. A considerable amount of territory has been gained, it is true, but, on the other hand, the German army has lost the major portion of its shock troops and the morale of the remainder has been impaired. They no longer despise but rather fear the Russians. In the opening of a new offensive against Russia next Summer the Germans will be in a far less advantageous position than they were last June. The weak link in their military chain is their transport system on which the British Air Force seem to be now concentrating.

[matter omitted]