Equilibrium. . .

(Equilibrium. . .)

By the Spring of 1943, the Ostheer (German Eastern Army) was in the third year in its invasion of the Soviet Union. The disasters of Stalingrad were passed but the campaign had devolved into a pattern. The Germans possessed sufficient strength to parry any Soviet offensive once the Soviet supply lines had been over-extended, the Germans counter-attacked, stabilizing the situation.


In 1943, that any German offensive was contemplated at all is remarkable. However, Adolf Hitler and OKW (High Command of the German Armed Forces), far from having the sense to move to a status of strategic defense, to pause active measures, rebuild the panzer (armored)) forces, determined on an operation called CITADEL, that was designed to using the newly re-constituted mobile forces to attack and attempt to pinch off a large bulge, salient, that had developed in the line centered on the town of Kursk. The idea of this new offense was bad enough. What was worse was that CITADEL was delayed until July 5th. After roughly ten days of intense combat, including the largest tank battle in history, Hitler cancelled the operation. The Western Allies had just landed in Sicily.


Germans have never known when to stand on the defensive. In the First World War, after the invasion of Belgium and France failed, there was no need to launch any new attacks. especially on the Western Front. But a failure to maintain equilibrium can have political consequences as well. Cases in point, Labor's victory in the United Kingdom and the ongoing decline in the fortunes of President Biden and the Democratic Party.


Some weeks ago, other elections were held on the Continent with those results making right-leaning parties win most of the available seats. Britain is bucking that trend however with its "Conservative" Party in disarray. it was easy for Labor to be victorious. However, there will now be a cost to the British people. As is akin to Democrats in this country, with high taxes and burdensome regulation, the promise of BREXIT can even be discounted to a point. But, people will always deserve the government they put in office.


President Biden obviously lost his equilibrium some time ago. It is now an open question as to Biden's fate. For his part, former President Trump has laid the gauntlet for another debate but this time, Trump wants no moderators. Like that would help the President. Today, Biden will be in Madison for his own "Rally." One would think that such public appearances would be discouraged because of the President's lack of equilibrium.

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