ACT OF DESPERATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 284, 1 December 1942, Page 3

ACT OF DESPERATION

Hitler's Decision To March On Toulon Naval Base STRONG ANTI-AXIS FEELING Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 30. Reports from France indicate growing anger at Hitler's breach of faith in occupj'ing Toulon, says the Daily Express diplomatic correspondent. Frenchmen seem to be entering a new phase of resistance to the Germans—not for the sake of Britain and the United States, but for the sake of France. Marshal Petain's position has been greatly weakened although the Germans may prop him up in office and use him to try and keep France quiet. Petain still commands the respect of Frenchmen because of the memory of his great days. Observers in London believe that Hitler's decision to enter Toulon was an act of desperation. His fifth column informed him that although there was strong anti-British feeling in the French fleet, anti-Axis feeling was stronger, and Hitler knew that the French were determined to scuttle the fleet if the Axis attempted to take it over. TWO FRENCH SUBMARINES SAFE ARRIVAL AT ALGIERS Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 30. According to Morocco radio the French submarine Casabiance (formerly the Casablanca) arrived at Algiers at 9 a.m. to-day, having succeeded in escaping from Toulon. On arrival it was accorded military honours. Algiers radio reports that the French submarine Marsoin arrived there to-day.