NEAR EAST SECURE

Evening Star, Issue 24327, 16 October 1942, Page 3

NEAR EAST SECURE

NAZI PLAN ABANDONED STRATEGIC BLUNDER IN MAY (Rec. 1.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 15. Seeking corroboration of reports to Allied military intelligence sources in Istanbul indicating that the Germans have abandoned their plan to invade the Near East from HSgian bases, the New York ‘ Times ’ correspondent at Smyrna says ho has received evidence from reliable quarters that .an Axis attack on this area is impossible this fall, and the entire iNear East is probably secure until the spring of 1943. The correspondent adds that reports received in Smyrna from the German air bases at Lesbos, Chios, and Samos disclosed that the Germans and Italians have withdrawn all but skeleton garrison forces from the Greek Islands and Dodecanese, Allied iftilitary and naval circles say the Germans committed their gravest error since their failure to attempt to invade England after the collapse of France when last May they failed to attack the weak defences of Syria and Palestine simultaneously with' the Libyan offensive. Only the Turks were ready last May, and an operation aimed across Syria at Iraq oil and into Palestine to sever Allied communications was feasible. GENERAL SMUTS TO SPEAK (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.50 a.in.) RUGBY, Oct. 15. The House of Commons loudly cheered the Prime Minister’s statement that General Smuts had consented to address the members of both Houses on an early occasion.