FEVERISH MOVES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21361, 4 March 1941, Page 6

FEVERISH MOVES

CRISIS IN BALKANS TROOPS ON FRONTIERS TURKISH PREPARATIONS 'United Press Assn Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON. March 3 Turkey and Greece are strengthening: their defences as German hordes pour over Bulgaria and occupy large encampments at all strategic points throughout the country. Ribbentrop is reportedly to have visited Prince Paul of Yugoslavia. Von Herren visited M. Matchek (Croat Peasant Leader), it is believed in an attempt to buy off the Croats anti-German attitude with offers regarding Croat autonomy. Bulgarian Fascists paraded singing “Down with Yugoslavia!” Strong forces of Germans are concentrating on the Turkish frontier, where seven divisions of Bulgarians are also massed. More Turkish troops have moved to the Greek and Bulgarian frontiers. Turkey has called up naval reservists. The Turkish General Staff has been in session all day. The Germans have completed the occupation of Burgas, in addition to Varna. German submarines which were assembled in a factory in Constanza are reported to have arrived at both these ports. BOMBS ON ENGLAND VERY LITTLE ACTIVITY (Omclal Wireless) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, March 3 A Ministry of Home Security communique states There was slight enemy activity over this country during daylight on Monday. Bombs were dropped on one town in Kent. One enemy fighter was shot down by our fighters near the Kent coast this afternoon. One of fighters is missing. ARTILLERY DUEL THE FIGHT FOR KEREN OPERATIONS SLOW DOWN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 4, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 3 With the exception of the rapid advance in Italian Somaliland, resulting in the occupation of Villaggio Dabruzzi, an important agriculture centre, the British operations in Africa have slowed down to nibbling operations. After successful encircling movements leading up to the siege of Keren a hide-and-seek artillery duel has been the chief feature of the British assault against the mountain fortress. The Italians are constantly changing the position of their guns in the darkness, cleverly concealing them in rocky crevices and shrubs. Nevertheless the accuracy of the British artillery is remarkable. The Daily Telegraph’s Khartoum correspondent says the chief obstacle between our northern column in Eritrea and Keren is the long gorge of the Ansebe River, where the enemy has chosen to stand rather than in the Meseellit Pass, thus enabling the defenders of Keren to shorten their forward communications, which the Royal Air Force continues to strafe pitilessly. SERVICE IN BRITAIN 267,361 REGISTRATIONS (omclal Wireless) (Received March 4. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, March 3 The Minister of Labour, Mr E. Bevin, announced that provisional figures of the men registered on February totalled 267,361, comprising England 222,732, Scotland 29,338, Wales 15,791.