NEXT NAZI MOVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20661, 12 January 1942, Page 7

NEXT NAZI MOVE

BRITAIN ON ALERT WATCH MEDITERRANEAN ITALIAN & VICHY FLEETS LONDON, Dec. 25. The reported resignation of the French Cliiqf of State, Marshal Pctain, is interpreted as a pointer to Hitler’s “great new campaign,” which German spokesmen are declaring, in one voice, to be imminent. In a broadcast last night to French prisoners of war in Germany, Petain did not refer to his rumoured resignation or to current events.

After surveying possible courses open to Hitler, commentators agree that Britain must look to the Mediterranean and prepare to meet her most formidable challenge so far, with the German Army and Luftwaffe probably backed up by the Italian and Vichy fleets. Restoring Hitler’s Prestige

It is considered that no other possible campaign offers Hitler similar opportunities for restoring his prestige, which lias been damaged by the Russians, except an invasion of Britain, which commentators rule out, because there is no evidence ot the necessary Luftwaffe, troop, and shipping concentration* across the Channel. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times says that, when Hitler assumed the supreme Army Command, he dwelt on the Japanese successes against the Anglo-American fleets. “Doubtless," adds the correspondent, “the Fuehrer would like similar successes in the Mediterranean, but the circumstances are different. The British positions are strongly held, and the forces on the alert. French North Africa would be easier ground, but it would not be the decisive phase which the German and Italian press are prophesying.” Hope of Saving Libya

The Cairo correspondent of The Times points out that Hitler’s address to the troops referred to the strengthening of the North African communications, indicating that he had not abandoned hope of saving Libya and Tripoli. “Also,” says the correspondent, “Signor Gayda, the Italian publicist, declared tihat Italy’s fate was bound up with the Libyan battle, in which the Italian sea, land and air forces would be engaged. “Malta and Cyprus are’ possibly interim objectives before the North African counter-attack, but, considering Hitler's and Gayda’s pronouncements, and Hitler's need for prestige success and distraction, it is prudent not to permit the substantial British victories in Libya to create complacency about the Mediterranean situation.” , ~ The British Mediterranean strength cannot be disclosed. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham’s Fleet in the East Mediterranean has a brilliant record, but has.not.yet been able to bring the Italian fleet to battle. Admiral Sir James Somerville's Western Mediterranean, Fleet has been equally successful in keeping the Italian, fleet portbound. Both the Italian and French fleets are numerically strong. The Daily Telegraph’s Cairo correspondent estimates that the Italians possess five battleships, two Bin. gun cruisers, six 6in. gun cruisers, 30 destroyers, and an undefinable number of submarines. He adds that daring raids on the Egyptian coast cannot be ruled out. The lengthy Britain communications may tempt the enemy to try spectacular sea and air raids. Vichy reports - that the battleship Dunkerque (26,500 tons), which was damaged by the British at Oran in July, 1940, is lying at Oran repaired, “making the French fleet. comparable in strength with any Mediterranean force.” „ ' « It is added that the French Navy s backbone is not battleships, but the great cruiser fleet, which is almost intact. The cruisers, most of which are more than 10,000 tons, are repined to be the fastest in the world. In addition, France has 30 destroyers, 43 torpedo-boats and 68 submarines.