GERMANY'S LATTER DAYS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 100, 18 August 1944, Page 4

GERMANY'S LATTER DAYS

THE fabled Nazi Empire, which two short years ago made the whole of the civilised world tremble, for its future, now marches irresibibly to its doom in the face of the tremendous events which crowd upon it like so many avenging Fates. The latest Allied bridgehead in the South of France tells an eloquent tale of weakened Nazi defences, of miserable morale, and of the dearth of munitions and fightingequipment. The defence by the ? luftwaffe' has been negligible and from the skies there has showered tens of thousands of 'paratroopers' who painted the blue unusual tints and flecked the landscape with a verigated pattern both new and strange. Almost unchallenged the Allied forces have bitten their way inland until within two days, over fifty miles of the latest portions of liberated France have been consolidated and handed back to the Tri-colour. There is no comparison between the two landings. Normandy was anticipated to a far greater extent than was the southern venture, though from all reports it would appear that the second invasion was carried out on a scale far eclipsing in extent the first liberty-fleet which crossed the Channel. We can rest assured in any case that the air J born section in Southern France was definitely superior in numbers and possibly fighting craft as well to its northern counterpart. The map of France to-day presents the scene of two giant claws moving relentlessly inland —from the west and from the south, to a converging point somewhere in the vicinity of the French capital. Stories of the unprecedented scenes of joy and welcome which awaited the troops of liberation, are. only exceeded by those poignant and moving reports of the raptuous reception extended the men of General Leclerc's Fighting Frenchmen who wept without shame when they stood once again dn their native soil, and received the heartfelt embraces of their freed countrymen.