ARMIES WITHDRAW FROM AEGEAN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 19, 17 October 1942, Page 8

ARMIES WITHDRAW FROM AEGEAN

Axis Plan Abandoned HARD PROBLEM FOR ROMMEL (Received October 16, 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 15. Seeking corroboration of reports to Allied military intelligence sources in Istanbul indicating that the Germans have abandoned their plan to invade the Near East from the bases in the Aegean Sea, the "New York Times correspondent at Smyrna says he has received evidence. from reliable quarters that 1 an Axis attack on this area is impossible' this autumn, and that the entire Near East will probably be secure till spring, 1943. The correspondent says that reports which'have 'been received in Smyrna from the German air bases on Lesbos, Chios, and Samos disclose that the Germans and Italians have withdrawn all but skeleton garrison forces from the Greek islands and also from the Dodecanese. Allied military and naval circles say that the Germans committed thengravest error since the failure of their attempt to invade England after the collapse of France when, last May, they failed to attack the weak defences in Syria ami Palestine simultaneously with the offensive in Libya. Only the Turks were ready last May, and an operation aimed across Syria at the oil of Iraq and into Palestine to sever the Allied communications was feasible. Issue in Egypt. A drive by Rommel may follow the German’s se'tback at Stalingrad,” says Major Fielding Eliot, writing in the New York “Herald-Tribune.” “It seems highly probable,” he says, "that Rommell is again in difficulties because of his precarious supply situation. He cannot remain indefinitely where he is. His line of communications is too long and too difficult. ’ He must either' get on with the offensive or fall back to more easily-defended positions.” Major Eliot believes that the fact that the Germans appear to have failed in Russia and may be compelled to retire to defensive positions, admitting that they cannot take Stalingrad, will urge their political leaders to seek a face-saving success elsewhere. “The rising scale of: United Nations air superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean;” he says, . “must be regarded in Berlin as extremely ominous. Very soon it may be impossible to reinforce and supply Rommel at all; hence, if a German attack is coming, it is probably now or never. ,• “It may be added that the season of good Campaigning weather in Africa is just beginning.” Paris radio quoted a Berlin report that Field-Marshal Rommel had returned to Egypt and resumed the command.

Rome radio reported that General Allesandro Predieri, commander of the Brescia Division, was killed on the Egyptian front on Tuesday while carrying out duties.