GERMAN FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1943, Page 4

GERMAN FORCES

AVAILABLE STRENGTH & DISPOSITION PROBABLE HEAVY CALL ON CENTRAL RESERVE. BRITISH CORRESPONDENT’S ESTIMATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 29. “Germany today is able to muster 285 divisions, about 40 more than a year ago, in Russia, Italy, the Balkans and Western occupied countries,” says the Press Association’s military correspondent, “but the Nazis in Russia have lest the support of 50 to 60 satellite divisions, . bringing their numerical strength in divisions to practically the same. Furthermore, many divisions, after the terrible battles in Russia and Italy, must be immensely reduced. So far as is known, the divisions are disposed as follows: — “Russia, 180 to 190, approximately the same as last year. “Finland, seven, similar to last year. “Balkans, about 25,' an increase of from about eight to 18. These extra divisions apparently have been drawn from the German central pool of reserves —which must now be pretty low —or from converting training divisions into garrison divisions; and by reconstituting divisions such as those exterminated at Stalingrad.” |