ALGIERS AND BERLIN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 218, 10 June 1943, Page 5

ALGIERS AND BERLIN

Topic Of Coming Allied Invasion

LONDON, June 8. Decisive Allied operations are expected soon against the fortress of Europe, says Algiers radio. The steppiug-up of the air strength against Italy, Germany, and occupied territory has brought about a rally of public opinion in favour of the Allied nations in those countries which till now have been hostile or indifferent. A second front' is imminent. A Berlin military spokesman said that the Germans are watching for Allied blows against Belgium, northern and southern France, Italy, and the Balkans. A Swedish correspondent in Berlin quoted Dr. Kurt Pfeiffer, a military expert as saying that the first attack would come from the Mediterranean because the Allies there were well drilled and excellently armed. Two British and one American army and also French reserves were ready for action. The German news agency describes the Channel forts which are the beginning of the Atlantic Wall, protecting Europe at several points off the French coast. ‘‘Anti-aircraft forts, made of thousands of tons of steel and concrete, will secure this no-man’s-land against air attacks,” it says. “It is still a secret how many of these fortresses there, are along the French coast, from the North Sea to the Bay of Biscay. On the towers of the anti-aircraft emplacements are light and heavy guns, and extensive minefields surround the forts. To attack them would cost the enemy dearly, because the forts would be the first taste of the unpleasant surprises which Germany has got in readiness along the whole coastline facing England.”

POWER OF ALLIES TO BREAK THROUGH

LONDON, June 8.

“When we decide to go into a place we shall see we have sufficient force to go through,” said Brigadier Noce, America’s amphibious warfare expert, in an interview in London. The landing point for the Allied invasion and the shores adjacent had been considered, men of all arms had been specially trained and stood ready, and the equipment had been assembled. , ~ , , , “We have air superiority, and do not contemplate losing it. We shall also have sea support,” Brigadier Noce added. Among several steps taken was the softening of the enemy by bombing. That was happening now. The next step was the actual amphibious operation. ihe army as it landed would fight in accordance with its own traditions. Some special equipment had been required, and small landing craft had been necessary. America and Britain knew all the types required, and they were ready.

BOMBERS SAVING CASUALTIES

(British OfflclM Wireless.) RUGBY, June 8.

“The air forces of Britain and the Allies will not finish the war by their efforts alone, but the effect of their pounding of the enemy on his industrial •battiefronts will soften him so that final victory may be won without the appalling casualties which we sustained in the last war.” This statement was nlade by Marshal of the R.A.F. Lord Trenchard, during ;> visit to Malta. “Had it not been for the work of our air forces, our casualties at Alamcin might have been increased tenfold, while the battle for Tunisia might have been going on still with thousands of casualties being incurred,” Lord Trenchard said.