NAZI LEADERS IN WEST

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 199, 20 May 1944, Page 7

NAZI LEADERS IN WEST

Runstedt In Charge COUNTER INVASION PROPAGANDA (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 18. Berlin radio announced that the German antl-iuvasion commanders in the West are: Conunander-in-C'bief, Field Marshal voußundstedt; Supreme Commanders of Lhe Army Groups, Field Marshals Rommel and Blaskowitz; Commander-In-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Field-Marshal Sperrlc. This Is the first time Blaskowitz has been mentioned as a field marshal. The Germans are massing considerable numbers of gliders and transport planes along the coast of the English Channel, says the “Daily Mail’s” Stockholm correspondent. Planes for carrying infantry and shock troops, including six-engined Dorniers capable of carrying 109 men with their equipment, medium-sized gliders that can transport 20 to 40 men, and Junkers 52’s are being concentrated at carefully camouflaged aerodromes. The young, energetic General Student, the man who was largely responsible for the German airborne attack against Crete, is in command, assisted by others who helped him in the Crete operations. The correspondent said that he heard from reliable sources that the Germans already appear to have enough gliders assembled along the Channel coast to be able to send over at least one division of airborne troops for an attack against Britain. He thought the Germans might aim such a counter-blow against. Britain as soon as the Allies start the invasion of western Europd. They might try to fling a division of picked troops across to Britain to make an aerial commando raid with the object of disorganizing the flow of our forces to the Continent, giving Rommel more time to bring up reserves to counter our landings. A Washington message says that the United States Secretary for War, Mr. 11. L. Stimson, warned the public that Nazi invasion propaganda is designed only to confuse the Allies, in the hope of impending military operations. He said that the enemy was likely to distort and exaggerate actual events and even to invent incidents.

“When the moment arrives for telling the news,” he said, “we shall try to tell it speedily and adequately.” During the past few weeks the Nazis had been busy setting invasion dates—one date one week and another date in the following week, so that when the dates came and went they could claim that the Allies did not dare to make the attempt. “The day will come, but it won’t be one the Nazis have selected,” said Mr. Stimson. “It is hoped that the public will be alert to the enemy tricks and will remain cool and patient, waiting for the day.”

Typhoons, Mustangs and Spitfires switched their attacks from railways to road transport today in offensive sorties over northern France and Belgium, and returned home leaving behind them wrecked and burning German military motor transport. Outstanding features of many widespread attacks included an exploding tank lorry, many three-ton military lorries ditched, and blazing staff cars and motor-cycles. Our aircraft vainly sought enemy fighters.