DEFENCES OF AXIS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 217, 9 June 1943, Page 5

DEFENCES OF AXIS

General Assurance Given In Berlin (By Telegraph.-Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 7. The Germans are keeping up their propaganda emphasizing the preparations to resist an Allied invasion of the Continent. The military commentator of the German news agency says: “The German forces —land, sen and air—are ready for offensive and also for defensive action, both as regards numerical strength, equipment and training.” ’ The commentator stated that the. German war potential, which had been considerably increased in recent months and was still increasing, permitted large-scale offensive plans. German and Italian war material would be brought into action surprisingly quickly if Britain and America attempted to open a second front in Europe, if the Russians started a summer offensive, or if the enemy should combine both of these possibilities. , He added : “Germany is continuously re-examining her armament production in the light of recent military events, resulting in the preparation of an adequate reply to the enemy’s air terror. The, decentralization and transfer of German industry are almost completed. The enemy in this respect cannot expect any successes in limiting the freedom of decision of the German war strategy. New, spacious workshops have been constructed in those parts of Europe under Axis control, based on experience in the air war. These factories are showing an output which excels anything that was hoped for. “The armies, air squadrons and naval units of Germany and her Allies are ready.” Northern and Southern “Walls.”

Axis radio stations quoted today an article in the German Army newspaper “Die Wehrmacht” discounting invasion dangers and mentioning for the first time that a “northern wall” has been created in Norway, in addition to the Atlantic and Mediterranean walls. The paper says: ‘Talk about the soft under-belly of the Axis is absurd. If the Allies should attempt a landing anywhere in Europe they would be confronted not by comparatively weak expeditionary forces but, in spite of the eastern front, by a tremendous army comprising millions. We have organized the entire Continent in preparation for such a possibility. “The Mediterranean coastal fortifications are similar in quality to those of the west wall and the Atlantic _ wall. Concerning the possibility of invasion of Norway, the enemy has given us three valuable years in which to strengthen our defences. A northern wall has taken shape, and enormous quantities of war material have been transported to Norway. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers stand ready there.” Messages from neutral sources report that the Germans, as an invasion precaution, have blown up a large area of The Hague. A strip three miles long and 300 yards deep has been dynamited through the city, which is two miles from the coast.

Houses, offices and publie buildings have been blown up. This fire belt for German guns runs parallel with the coast and deep tank -traps have been cut within it.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRANCE

Resisting Labour Decree (British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) LONDON, June 7. Reports from Berne state that large demonstrations occurred, recently in various parts of France against the compulsory transport of workers to Germany. When men who had been compulsorily mobilized were forcibly dragged to tiie railway stations these mass demonstrations prevented 'the departure of the trains and gave those mobilized an opportunity to escape and join partisan groups. Increasing damage is being inflicted on the German war machine by sabotage by francs tireurs. One of the most important bauxite mines was so completely destroyed by partisans that production was paralysed for at least six months. All non-commissioned officers and men of the former Dutch Army who were ordered by the Germans on April 29 to register in preparation for reimprisonment have now been ordered to report immediately to .the German military authorities at Amsterdam with the minimum personal belongings. Only those in possession of certificates declaring that they are doing essential work for the Germans are exempted, it is learned in Dutch circles in London. The Dutch Government in London has learned -that patriots killed the notorious quisling F. E. Posthuma, who was the Dutch Nazi Party delegate for agriculture. Posthuma was Minister of Agriculture in the last war, and a well-known Nazi sympathiser. He is the third delegate of Anton Mussert’s council of eight members to be shot. , Of 400.000 Norwegian boys and girls between 10 and 18 years of age who were ordered IS months ago by the Nazis to join -the Quisling service, only 1000 have complied with the order. Forty parents have been arrested for refusing to allow their children to join.

* PURGE IN ITALY

(Received June 8, 7 p.m.) LONDON. June i

Fourteen members of the Italian Fascist Partv. including high civil service officials, industrialists and merchants, hav" been expelled and a number of others have been suspended “for various crimes. In announcing this. Rome radio said that the local Fascist Party secretary of Novara Province, northern Italy, was expelled for harbouring a group of British prisoners in his office, other officials were accused of misusing food ration cards and leaving their posts in districts liable to air raids, and a departmental head in the Ministry of Health was accused of luxurious living. These officials were sent, to a concentration camp. All entertainments in Rome winch do not “correspond to the gravity of the times” are now banned, and all music is banned in those restaurants and night clubs which are still permitted to remain open.