ALLIED INVASION BELIEVED AT HMD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1943, Page 5

ALLIED INVASION BELIEVED AT HMD

TENSION IN FRANCE

Germans Grant Amnesty To Secure Aims N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 20. The whole of Western and Northern France is reported to be in a state of extreme tension at the prospect of an Allied invasion. Organised underground groups are awaiting the Allied landings, when they will operate against the Axis from within. Paris radio says all Frenchmen in possession of arms have been granted a four-day amnesty for their surrender to the German occupation authorities and the Vichy Government. A joint statement issued by the Germans and Vichy radio says: "It is known that a great number of French still possess all kinds of arms which have not been surrendered because of fear of the consequences. It is also known that extensive arms dumps exist throughout France. Any person who reports the whereabouts of these dumps will be immune from prosecution. Allied planes have repeatedly dropped war material over France. We urge the public to hand over the weapons before August 24, otherwise they may be sentenced to death."

May Strike Over Week-end

Berlin radio, quoting a message from Stockholm, says: "It is stated the invasion is impending not only of Italy but also on a large front in Western Europe. Some reports even assert that instructions have already been given for all-round operations against Europe this weekend." _ Berlin radio, expatiating on Germany's coastal defence system a lew hours after the statement of the American Secretary for War, Mr. H. L Stimson, that the Allied armies were poised to strike again, said: "Everything is ready for the zero hour." The radio commentator, Captain Sertorious, said the battles in Africa had given time for the German armies to establish mighty defences on the flanks of the European Continent, and added: It was doubtful whether the Allies would decide to establish a second front A message reports that strong contingents of German troops have arrived at many points in L °Reuters' military correspondent says the capture of the Aeolian (Lipari) Islands is the shadow of coming events, just as the of Pantellaria was the prelude to the invasion of Sicily Occupation of the islands may be regarded as a preliminary to any landing on the Italian coast.

French Urged to Prepare A high British Army officer last night broadcast another "get ready wfrning to the French people. "Those of you belonging to resistance groups know already that your services will be wanted on Day J at 'Hour H'," he said. /...,, The message was directed to the great majority who are not specialists They were told how they could Dlay their part in helping the forces of liberation. They should for instance, always be ready to show the Allied soldiers short cuts in the country fields or city streets. "1 deliberately use the word 'ready'," said the British officer It implies for everyone a detailed study of the district until he knows each blade of grass like a gamekeeper. Begin training now." The Vichy Government is perturbed and perplexed. Laval, in striving to cling to office has proposed a reconstruction of the Cabinet to include former senators and deputies who still have popular support. However, the Germans are lik»ly to remove Laval when the invasion occurs and substitute Doriot, leader of the French Nazis.

Massive Forces Gathered

There are rapidly multiplying signs that the hour of invasion of Continental Europe is at hand and the Allied High Command has given a "go ahead" order to massive amphibious forces poised to strike at Germany's western flank, says the Associated Press in a message from Quebec The timing and co-ordina-tion of many complex factors involved in such a gigantic operation are under consideration by the High Command. It is believed that the High Command has definitely decided against trying to win the war primarily by strategical bombing. " The impression prevails in Quebec that one of the problems before Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt has been to speed up the invasion preparations to take advantage of the military predicament in which the Germans have been placed by the Red Army. The belief is that Italy will be only one of several assaults in the next few weeks and that it is right to expect that the main blow will be delivered from England at Europe's northern coast. Another conference task is to name the commander for the European area. Speculation on this point revolves around General Sir Harold Alexander, and it is suggested that General Sir Bernard Montgomery may be chosen for the offensive from India against Burma.