FRENCH MORALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 3, 4 January 1941, Page 6

FRENCH MORALE.

GERMANS SUFFER.

BAITING THE INVADERS.

French morale is improving, according to reports which reach London from Pariu. There is a general feeling that the present situation is an artificial one which cannot, last. Hopes are pinned mainly on-the British, and General de Gaulle is popular, though not eo popular as he would he had he been older and better known difrinjr the war in France. He ie admired mainly as an intrepid leader and a man without a political record and with a soldier's mind.

The Parisians have now loet their fear, based mainly on a formidable appearance of the German troops, and find them incredibly stupid and ingenuous. By "ragging" them in ways too subtle for the German mind, the population have uone a good deal to undermine German morale. Thus Parisians will commiserate gently with them on their forthcoming trials "when the invasion start*," and say 'how much they will look back to their stay in France, "which is so peaceful."

The adventure against England is not a popular subject of conversation, for the French are not slow to point to British resistance eo far, "with more and worse to come if you try to get there." Circumetantial stories circulate to the effect that two unsuccessful attempts at invasion have already been made, perhaps as a kind of rehearsal or ae a etrong test raid. These people whisper to one another, ended in disaster, because the German ships ran into a minefield and before they could extricate themselves fast British motor boats drew alongside and pumped petrol aboard and on the sea, and later eet light to it. l

The French hoepitale are said to be full of the charred victims and also of German soldiers wounded in the Channel port* by British naval and air attacks. Fears created by such stories are eaid to (be leading to the continual necessity for* euperior officers to deny them and call the men to order and a martial hearing and "no fraternising." Hence, in public, the attitude of courtesy at first preserved "has been dropped and German ■behaviour in France i<; now exactly what it was in Belgium during the laet war. It is believed that many of the German refugees to France make the Royal Air Force bombing an excuse for coming because they are tired of the Xazi regime and mean to settle down permanently on one pretext or another if the Gestapo allows them to do so. They are, therefore, trying to establish (business connection* and to buy houses and other property—at prices which, in view of the artificial rate of exchange, are far below the real,value.