HITLER’S FRONTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 264, 6 August 1942, Page 5

HITLER’S FRONTS

Powerful Defences On Channel Coast FEAR OF UPRISINGS IN REAR (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, August 4. Rumours that the Allies are about to open a second front in Europe tire spreading throughout France, Belgium and Holland. There are a number of signs that both the Germans and the Vichy Government fear a national uprising throughout occupied and unoccupied France as soon as tbe Allies strike. „ » - The “Soviet War News says that the Germans’ ruling clique is profoundly alarmed at the danger of a second front. A new German Press campaign aims at intimidating the Allies and easing the mind of the German people. The Stockholm newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” says the Vichy Government has issued a warning that the British will employ large numbers of paratroops in landing in France with the idea-of upsetting Franco-German collaboration. It is reported from Berlin that further extensive mining has been carried out on the Dutch coast. General Dietrich, commander of the Storm Troops, and Dr. Speer, the German Arms Minister, toured the Channel coast defences in company with the local naval commander, says a Berlin message. “The defences include long-range batteries protected by seemingly indestructible fortifications with concrete walls three feet thick and surrounded by a belt of batteries for defence against small sea craft and planes. Mines and Guns.

“There is battery after battery, with a range and field of fire dovetailing with the next. Yet nothing of these fortifications is visible. An attacker may land wherever he likes, but inevitably will be caught, first by the minefields, then by searchlights and the navy’s guns. “Should an attacker penetrate these defences he would encounter _ land mines, strongly-fortified machinegun nests, and barbed-wire entanglements. Finally he would be attacked by.grenades, llame-throwersr and troops with all arms. If the attackers prefer to land from the air there are means of striking at them from all directions and in sufficient numbers to repel every kind of attack. “The deeply-echeloned defence lines of the army and air force begin . immediately behind the naval fortifications.”. Moscow radio reported that patriots on the lower Seine blew up a German military train, destroyed 43 wagons, 19 oil tanks, and two locomotives, and wounded many of the German personnel. Savage reprisals have been taken by the Italians against the Yugoslav village of Jelini, in the Fitimc district, according to the Yugoslav Government circles in London. Those who opposed the Italians have all been interned, their houses razed to the ground, and their property confiscated. Twenty people were executed and the remainder expelled from the village. Several have fled to the wooos, where they are continuing guerrilla activities. The Italians threaten further reprisals. CRITICIZED AS TOO BOMBASTIC Broadcast To Germans (Received August 5, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 4. Lord Addison, in the House qf Lords, referring to Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris’s broadcast on July 28, said that Service oflicers not responsible to Parliament should not be called on for statements on war policy. The broadcast, he said, was partly comprised of “stuff so bombastic it might have come from Mussolini.” Lord Ailwyn said it was apparent that throughout the summer we were unable to do against Germany all we hoped. It was the height of folly to broadcast our strategy without pursuing it forthwith. Lord Selborne, replying, said: ‘The Minister of Information takes full responsibility for the statement which was also circulated to Germany by pamphlet. It was not a new announcement of policy, but an application of the policy which Mr. Churchill announced weeks ago. The broadcast was to tell the German peoples that we have begun to bomb systematically their cities producing munitions, and also that tbe Americans will soon be helping us to carry out heavier bombing. A Service officer was asked to deliver the broadcast so that tbe German people would realize we are in earnest.” TARGETS IN THE RUHR > Bombing By R.A.F. LONDON, August 5. The Air Ministry announces that last night the R.A.F. bombed targets in the Ruhr. In occupied territory, railways and other targets were attacked. . One bomber and one fighter are missing. Six enemy bombers were destroyed over Britain last night. Raiders flew over the south and south-west coast o£ England to south Wales. Bombs were dropped at a few scattered points, but reports indicate that casualties and damage will prove slight. Berlin announced that the Luttwaltc on Monday bombed arms works in Leicester and Leeds aud harbour works at Middlesborough.