CRISIS TALK IN REICH

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 105, 28 January 1943, Page 5

CRISIS TALK IN REICH

New Debacle Or Stand In Russia ?

(British Official Wireless.) (Received January 27, 8.40 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 26. The intense gloom which has suddenly pervaded German propaganda is the subject of comment by military quarters m London. There appear to be two possible explanations. Either the Germans have the situation in hand again and hope soon to be able to point to a marvellous recovery, or the situation is still so bad that preparations are being made for even worse tidings.

There is little doubt that the German people, and particularly the army, have begun to realize that Russia, if properly armed, could produce and in fact has produced a greater force than the "invincible” German Army. Months ago German soldiers were reported to be saying, "If only we had British rations and Russian equipment and were fighting the Italians, we could win the war.”

However, it would be foolish for us to read into these gloomy comments in the German Press our own too easy holies, for the German people have a certain taste for that melancholy which marks their legends and sagas. Reuter's correspondent, on the German frontier says that the repercussions of the Russian advances are again being emphasized in'the Nazi radio and newspapers, which gloomily chorus the theme that the gravest days of the war threaten Germany with annihilation, and that Bolshevism is menacing European civilization. "These and similar epigrams are featured in the newspapers in heavy type which is certain to attract attention, tlie correspondent says. Playing On Fear. “An astounding factor is that Press comment pays a tribute to the British and Russian steadfastness in bad times, accompanied by urgings to emulate tlie enemy’s staunchness and patriotism, tlie newspapers are abandoning the attitude that tlie Russians are mere barbarians, and assert that the Russians must have had masses of tanks in reserve before the war, when they bluffed the world regarding their weakness. "Hitler is exploiting ins own defeats in propaganda which dims to squeeze the final ounce of strength by. playing on the Germans’ fear of a catastrophe. All the newspaper and radio comment indicates that rhe launching of. a mighty, oflicial campaign to forestall a collapse of the home front and forecasting drastic measures for conscription of the last reserves, including the closing of amusement shops and businesses. “The broadcasts tonight illustrated the gloom and nervousness, referring to the people’s anxious and grim faces throughout. Germany and detailing the terrific onslaught which the Russians and the winter are making on the Wehrmacht. In Italy Also.

"This spate of propaganda is believed to be a prelude to an x order by Hitler for the filial mobilization of manpower when he speaks on the tenth anniversary of bis accession to power on Saturday. Mussolini is similarly stressing the gravity of tlie hour and is demanding that the Italian people use all their reserves of energy, e The streets of Rome since (he fall of Tripoli are reported to have been crowded with excited people discussing the news. Police have patrolled the streets with machineguns and guarded the Fascist, headquarters. Further anxiety is being caused by the discontinuance of any broadcast, reference 14) the Italian troops in Russia.

ANNIHILATION OF AN ARMY

Stalingrad Railways Freed (British Official Wireless.) (Received January 27, 7 p.in.) RUGBY, January 26. A sjiecial Soviet communique says: “The troops on the Don front, continuing their advance against the German forces surrounded in the Stalingrad area, having overcome powerful defences have practically accomplished the liquidation of the encircled enemy. Between January 17 and 26, 40,000 of the enemy were killed and 28,000 were taken prisoner. "Two encircled and small enemy groups, totalling about 12,000 men, have yet to be liquidated. One group is north of. Stalingrad and the other is nearer tlie centre of the city. Both are doomed to destruction in two or three days. ... "The Soviet troops during the battles of January 17 to 26 captured 26 important fortified centres and seven railway stations. Our artillery, mortar and sap per units destroyed 620 fortifications, and artillery also destroyed 40 strongly-forti-fied observation points. Two hundred and twenty enemy artillery and mortar batteries were destroyed and 520 square miles of territory were freed. Altogether, since the beginning of the general attack against the encircled troops at Stalingrnd. our troops between January li and 26 captured 60 strongly-fortified populated places which hud been converted into defence bases, and nine railway stations. Air Fleet Captured. "The following railways have been opened for transport: Stalingrad to I’ovorino, Stalingrad to ’latsinskaya, and Stalingrad to Salsk. "Also, during the period of the general attack, our troops have captured 523 planes, 1297 tanks, 2978 guns of various calibre, 904 trench mortars. 4870 machineguns. 45.000 rifles, 49,000 lorries. 4660 motor-cycles and 160 dumps with equipment, arms and other material. Much railway equipment has also been captured.