DOUBTS & FEARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1942, Page 4

DOUBTS & FEARS

INDICATED IN GERMANY TALK ABOUT THE SPRING OFFENSIVE. IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN TIME WILL BE RIPE. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 16. “Germans are being urged to have confidence and patience in their military leaders,” says the Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspapers "Nyadigligt Allehanda.” “Although it had been supposed that the German spring offensive would be launched in May, or at the beginning of June, German newspapers now declare that it is impossible to say when the time will be ripe.” “The Times” Stockholm correspondent says Russian and German reports agree that there have been no.essential changes in the front since April 14. German papers emphasise that the Red Fleet still dominates the Black Sea. The German Rear-Admiral Gadow ,in an article, points out that the Red Fleet is based on Sebastopol, Novo Rossisk and Batum and must be a serious factor in the next few months, because the Germans have insufficient naval force to dispute its sway. “Our allies and neutrals in the Black Sea have an interest in the liquidation of this Bolshevik danger,” he declares, “as once before, after the Crimean War, when the Russians’ seapower was destroyed. Bulgaria, Rumania and Turkey will thereby regain full freedom and security.” The Germans are still grumbling about the weather, and particularly about night frosts which are somewhat slowing down the thaw on. the northern half of the front, without, _ however, hardening the ground sufficiently to help traffic.