GREATER CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 January 1943, Page 3

GREATER CRISIS

THAN THAT OF 1918 ANTICIPATED IN GERMANY. HIMMLER GIVEN IMMENSE POWERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) ' (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, January 21, In an appeal to Germans to aid their troops in Russia by unity and self-sacrifice, the “Voelkischer Beobachter” warns the nation to prepare for a military crisis greater than that of 1918. A special correspondent of “The Times” says Himmler (Gestapo Chief) has become Germany’s defence dictator. Hitler has secretly appointed Himmler to the point of Reich Defence Commissioner, with immense powers to organise emergency defence measures. The appointment was made after two significant developments in the relations between Germany and her satellite powers. They were, firstly, a meeting with negative results between Hitler and Antonescu, and, secondly, a pointblank refusal by Admiral Horthy (Hungarian Regent) to supply more Hungarian troops. Horthy gave possible developments in the Balkans as a reason for his refusal. Hitler has also launched a new labour drive of astonishing proportions, says the correspondent. It is clear that what Hitler now demands from Germany is identical with what was planned for a similai' national emergency in 1918 by the Jewish Walter Rathenau, known as the Rathenau Plan. It consisted chiefly of substituting women for men in factories, shortening the German battle line, and converting the Reich into a self-supporting fortress. PANIC IN BUDAPEST OVER BAD NEWS FROM RUSSIA. HUNGARIAN DIVISIONS ALMOST WIPED OUT. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, January 21. The British United Press Istanbul correspondent says that according to reports from Budapest, the city panicked on Tuesday, after issue of the Hungarian weekly communique, admitting the Russian break through on a sector on the Voronezh front held by Hungarians. Another announcement cancelled all Army leave. Many men will be unable to find their mauled and retreating units. Three Hungarian divisions are reported to have been almost wiped out.