PINCERS THREAT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 282, 10 September 1941, Page 8

PINCERS THREAT

NORTH AFRICAN ZONE.

GERMAN SUBTERFUGES

LONDON, August 27

A dangerous situation is arising m North Africa with the threat of a German pincers movement developing there arid in Spain. This is emphasised by a special correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” who, writing from “somewhere in North Africa,” declares: — “ “This is the point of Mr Churchill’s warning that Germany is contemplating attacks on s more European countries, including Spain. Under the guise of the so-called Armistice Commission, German agents in French North Africa have built up a military organisation ready for all emergencies. “It is complete with a general staff in embryo. Considerable progress has been made already with the defence of crucial points on the Atlantic coast. Dakar, for instance, is more strongly defended now than at the time of the ill-starred Free French operations. “Although the 'importance of Dakar and other Atlantic ports is obvious, Tunisia is still the really crucial point in North Africa. Military observers believe that, so long as the Germans are able to operate- bases on the Tunisian frontier, there is a danger of a pincers movement from there .and across Spain. “Possession of the Tripolitania Tunisia border gives the bolder the key to North Africa. That key, potentially at least, is for the moment in German hands.”