GERMANS1 MASSING IN BOSNIA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 195, 16 May 1944, Page 5

GERMANS 1 MASSING IN BOSNIA

May Be Anticipating Ap Allied Invasion (Received May 15, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, bfay 15. The Germans are masisng in northwestern Bosnia (northern Yugoslavia), reports a representative of the combined Anglo-American Press in a dispatch from Marshal Tito’s headquarters in the Yugoslav mountains. Thousands of Germans are gathered at Bihag and Bosanskanovi, on the northern fringe of the mountainous country stretching into western Bosnia, which is one of Marshal Tito’s major strongholds. The Germans either are preparing for a drive through western Bosnia, hoping to dislodge the Partisan army from the important positions they are holding, or is preparing to move reinforcements to the Dalmatian coast in case of an Allied invasion. Marshal Tito is not worried, because the Partisan armies in western Bosnia include some of‘Yugoslavia’s best fighting men, and also the country is extremely rugged, with mountain ranges averaging over 5000 feet in height. Even if they smashed through the mountains the Germans would not be able to hold the country behind them. “The Allies and the Yugoslav army have planned an offensive in the Balkans,” says Paul Ghali, correspondent of the “New York Post,” in a dispatch from Switzerland. "Marshal Tito will assist the Allies in the Balkans, first, by stopping German military traffic from crossing Yugoslav territory south of Greece. To do this he will cut thre.e railway lines across Yugoslavia by occupying strategic positions. Secondly, he will occupy all strategic points in Yugoslavia which are not yet in the Partisans' hands, to facilitate the creation of an Allied bridgehead. This plan has been completed down to the most minute detail. Thirdly, he will take over civilian control as soon as territories are - liberated.” Journey to headquarters. An “incredible lair” in the mountains where Marshal Tito has his headquarters is described by a British correspondent who dined with the Marshal a few evenings ago. ' Revealing that 15 German dive-bombers attempted unsuccessfully some time ago to blast Marshal Tito from his headquarters, the correspondent says that the Marshal has the most’impregnable 1 headquarters of any commanding general in the world. “They are a series of natural caves running in a gallery straight into the sides of a deep ravine,” he says. “They are less than 20 miles from where the fighting is going on today. To reach them our guards, who were changed three times during the journey from our billets, led us along a rough path cut out of the rock face and up the side of a ravine. Beside us for part of the journey a great waterfall plumed down in a thundering cascade into a dim moonlit valley far below. At. times we clung to rocks as the path twisted and turned round jutting spurs and ledges. “At last we arrived panting at the top to find the Marshal waiting. He led us into a study the four walls of which were lined with sheets of pure white silk from parachutes. The same material was used for the shades over the electric lights. The meeting was completely informal, and we discussed a variety of topics. “I asked him if he thought the German and quisling troops had any plans for another offensive against the Partisans’ army. He answerefi. JNo, I do not think they have. The main German concern at the moment is to keep the forces of the National Army of Liberation split up into groups throughout the country. The German tactics consist of minor ‘thrusts in various localities with the idea of making the Partisans use up their scanty stores of ammunition and thus immobilize them. We are _ finding that the German soldier is deteriorating as a fighter.’ “After 40 minutes of talk, an orderly brought in a decanter of slivovic, a plum brandy peculiar to Yugoslavia. Dinner followed, consisting of cold meats, omelette, small steaks, and chops, followed by chocolate pudding—all washed down with rod Dalmatian wine. We left after midnight, rather dreading the path down the side of the ravine, but we made it.”