INVASION FEARS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 91, 17 April 1943, Page 5

INVASION FEARS

GERMANY ABSORBED WITH DEFENCE PLAN

BRIBING SATELLITES

Hitler Apprehensive Of

Balkan Thrust

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, April 16. The Allies are opposing a different Germany to-day compared with that even of last year. Germany to-day is encouraging the defensive mind She speaks with less truculence and with a new show of leniency towards the enslaved peoples and new promises of fair treatment to them. At the same time it is observed that the smaller nations are changing their attitude towards her, based on the realisation that Germany cannot win the war. The German Press at present is boosting the new coastal fortifications described as the "Atlantic, wall" to reassure the public that adequate measures have been taken against an Allied invasion. German, Italian and neutral journalists have been taken on a tour of this wall, which is stated to be a chain of forts said to command all the important approaches to the north-western coast from the Spanish frontier to the German-Dutch frontier. It occupied thousands of men throughout the autumn and winter. German journalists report that the harbours and estuaries are specially well fortified, but the wall, which is 1687 miles long, is not densely occupied, greater importance being attached to keeping adequate reserves well in the rear so they can be rushed quickly to any point. Similar evidence of the fortifications has come from southern Italy, the Balkans and Norway. Recently the Germans have been slowing down aeroplane and precision tool plants in France and increasing production in newer factories in Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary. Bulgaria Now Favoured There are at present signs that Hitler is worried over the possibility of an invasion of the Balkans by Allied forces based on Egypt. Palestine, Syria and Cyprus. As a result, Bulgaria seems to have become the favoured nation instead of Hungary. Germany has sent Bulgaria 10,000 tons of sugar and 40,000 tons of rye, with promises of other goods to follow—and this when Italy and her other allies are going short. Similar bribes have been given Rumania, and both Bulgaria and Rumania have apparently promised to defend the southern Balkans.

Various changes are 1 reported to be going on—Bulgaria is sending 50,000 troops to Greece to replace Italians, who are concentrating in Dalmatia and Albania. Large-scale Bulgarian anti-invasion measures are stated to be starting shortly under German direction.

Neutral observers report a growing depression of spirits in Germany following the losses of life in Russia, receding hopes of victory, the knowledge that the conquered nations are turning against them, and the terrific R.A.F. raids.

Hitler will shortly address a special meeting of the Reichstag, probably on April 20, his birthday, says the Exchange Telegraph Zurich correspondent, and he is expected to announce a new European charter.