COMING ALLIED OFFENSIVE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23944, 11 May 1943, Page 5

COMING ALLIED OFFENSIVE

TURKISH AND BALKAN REPORTS

REACTION TO VICTORY IN TUNISIA (N.Z, Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. The fall of Tunis and Bizerte is having a tremendous effect in Turkey, the Balkans, and the rest of the Near and Middle East, as well as in Russia and European countries. Turkish opinion is very impressed by the result, which is regarded as the conclusion of the African campaign. The puppet governments which Germany has established throughout the Balkans are reading the writing on the wall, and realise that they are doomed. The Berlin radio says: “Allied troop movements to Cyprus and also concentrations in Palestine suggest preparations for a campaign against south-east Europe.” Moscow newspapers believe that the brilliant success in Tunisia will shock German morale and open a new phase in the war with the establishing of a second front in Europe. The Moscow radio said: "Tunis and Bizerte will be bases for the coming offensive against Europe. Their capture has freed the Mediterranean ,for Allied shipping, thereby reducing the amount of shipping required for future operations.” From Tangier it is reported that General Franco has gone to Melilla for the first time since the Spanish civil war. It is believed that he will inspect the Spanish Morocco fortifications on the French Moroccan borders, and also make contact with General Eisenhower and Lieutenant-General Mark Clark, Chief of Staff of the United States ground forces in Africa. “The Germans, fearing an Allied invasion, have cut all Greek communications with the outside world,” says the Istanbul correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency. "A real reign of terror exists. The prisons are overflowing with arrested persons. The Germans say that if they are obliged to do so they will abandon Greece in ruins.” The correspondent of the British United Press in Ankara reports that the Italians have started evacuating people of Turkish and Greek origin from the Dodecanese. They are paying particular attention to Greeks, who would be a possible fifth column in the event of an Allied attack. Turkey Denies Report “Tension in the Balkans soared last night because of reports which were current in all capitals between Vienna and Istanbul that an Allied invasion of the Balkans was imminent,” says the “Sunday Express.” “The atmosphere was more electric than at any time since 1940. The Turkish Embassy in London went out of its way to deny reports that Turkey had declared war on Germany, and the Bulgarian Legation in Bucharest issued a statement admitting ‘slight restrictions’ on the Turkish-Bulgarian border, although it asserted that the frontier was still open and traffic was normal. “At the same time. Berlin openly accused the Allies of inciting Turkey to join in an invasion of the Balkans. It said that British General Staff officers had begun negotiations with the Turkish staff.” “Berlin’s alarm about the Balkans is evident,” says the “Sunday Express.’ “Trains loaded with German troops and war materials are moving into south-east ' Europe without a pause, day and night. Central European airfields arc packed with Gestapo officials and anti-invasion experts.” A report from Ankara says that the President of Turkey (General Inonul received the German Ambassador (von Papen). and that the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Hasan Menemenjoglu) was present. The Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that travellers report that German troops are moving south through Hungary at a rate comparable to that preceding the invasion of Greece and Jugoslavia. Special transportation units have arrived at Budapest, U.S. Press Comment

In the United Slates press it is agreed that an assault on . the Continent will come soon. Most observers believe that the Allies will launch several blows simultaneously, masking (he real one until the Axis forces are thinly strung out. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says that informed circles assume that the decisions about an Allied landing in Europe have already been taken, but where and when are carefully-guarded secrets. However, Italy and the Balkans are regarded as the most logical places. The possibility of a desperate German surprise attack against the Allies through Spain or the Balkans is not overlooked, but so far no^signs are reported of attempted operations in these directions. Mr Joseph C. Harsch. writing in the "Christian Science Monitor,” says; “The victory in Tunisia is packed with meaning for the future. It has revealed superior power, employed with skill and determination and superb co-ordination not only of all war arms, but also of three separate Allied armies—which is the most difficult of all forms of co-ordination. The result shows a new power and new momentum in the Allied cause, which has taken a most significant forward step.” The Moscow newspaper “Pravda says: "The capture of Bizerte and Tunis testifies to the complete collapse of Hitler’s and Mussolini's plans to dominate the Mediterranean, deprive the Allies of important strategic positions, and cut communications to the east. The Allies, by dealing a decisive blow against the forces of Italy and Germany in Tunisia, have achieved most important strategic advantages for the development of further military operations against the Axis.” MARTIAL LAW IN HOLLAND GERMANS IMPOSE CURFEW DEPORTATIONS OF SOLDIERS (Roc. 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. All Holland has been placed under martial law by the Nazis, it was learned in London to-night. This information followed quickly the news that the four provinces of North Holland. Limburg, Overyssel, and Gclderland had been placed under martial law. The order declaring martial law throughout Holland was announced by the Reich Commissar for the Netherlands (Dr. Seyss-Inquart). The news of this decree, which came into force on May 1. has only just leached Dutch circles in London. The regulations forbid assemblies of more than five people, impose a curfew throughout the country from 8 p.ni. to 6 a.m., forbid the sale of spirits in cafes, and ban strikes and lock-outs. Persons disobeying, and those who carry arms or print and distribute inciting pamphlets or resist authority will be sentenced to death. Dr, Seyss-Inquart, to enforce these laws, has appointed a special deputy. Dr. Wimmer, who in turn has appointed deputies for each of the 11 provinces of Holland. Dutch circles in London have learned that in the last few days many thousands of Dutchmen have been rounded up by the Gestapo. While first deportations of reimprisoned Dutch soldiers are taking place, the Gormans are beginning with the registration of all able-bodied men between 13 and 35. . . The Dutch Prime Minister (Professor Gerbrandy) described _the order calling on men from 13 to 35 to register as a “panic measure.” Holland is in a state of extreme tension. and the Germans have been trying to muzzle the radio and newspapers. To-morrow is the third anniversary of the German invasion of the Netherlands. , _ _ - . -.