GERMAN EASTERN FRONT

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24151, 10 January 1944, Page 5

GERMAN EASTERN FRONT

ENEMY SEES BATTLES AS DECISIVE

“MUST ABANDON WHOLE COUNTRIES” (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

(Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 8. "There is no doubt in Berlin that the present battles in Russia are Hie decisive round, and that the European war will unquestionably be decided on Ihc Eastern Front —not by bombing, ov in Italy, or by invasion from the west,” says the Official German News Agency. "The Soviet attacks have now assumed the character of a general offensive, which German military circles view as an all-out effort to smash the German Eastern Front. "Reports reaching Berlin in the last 24 hours indicate no slackening in the fury of the Soviet offensive, particularly in the Dnieper bend.” "the German armies must now be prepared not merely to fight a steady retreat, but must withdraw from and abandon whole countries,” a Wilhelmstrasse spokesman told neutral correspondents. “It is now a question which countries the German forces should give up to carry out essential plans for German defence. We have to remember that we must keep at least 100 divisions ready for an Allied invasion in the west. The next few days will show whether it is worth while to abandon our positions on the Dnieper altogether, to shorten the front.” A German military spokesman said earlier that the German and Russian armies were poised for decisive battles. "It is undeniable that the German armies are experiencing a serious strain. We make no attempt to disguise the fact that we have suffered reverses in these gigantic winter battles,” he said. j The Stockholm correspondent of the Associated Press says that dispatches from Swedish correspondents in Berlin give prominence to the German High Command spokesman’s most recent declaration that the Russians’ general offensive is constantly increasing in force on a widening front. The spokesman emphasised that the Germans were hampered in meeting the Russian offensive because an invasion was threatened from Britain, pinning down in the west many divisions which otherwise would be flung in to check the Russians. "The invasion from the west may follow the opening of this Russian offensive,” said the German spokesman. "We are therefore able to use reserves in the cast only to the extent the situation in the west permits. A German spokesman is quoted by the Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper "Svenska Morgenbladet" as saying that there is a possibility that the German army will be forced to withdraw entirely from Russia in the face of what appears to be a giant Russian offensive along the whole front from Leningrad to the Black Sea The correspondent adds: "But the Nazis over-emphasise their difficulties sometimes, so that if they achieve a successful counter-stroke they can claim that it was accomplished against overwhelming odds.”

PROSPECT OF INVASION

EFFECT ON GERMAN FORCES

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, Jan. 7. The German official attitude to the prospect of invasion is, according to reports from Stockholm, that the new tasks obviously awaiting the German Army will prevent the use against Russia of some hundred divisions which are being held ready in the west and the north Balkans, plus reserves at home. The object in Russia will be to maintain an organised defence causing the enemy the greatest possible losses while not hesitating to give up territory, thus ensuring the retention of the greatest strength when conditions again permit of an offensive. Meanwhile, the imminence of a third big front imposes the need of operating everywhere in a manner securing the greatest possible freedom of action. _ "Flagging morale in Germany is nipped in the bud by death sentences, and it is impossible for any group to organise a revolution to overtn.row < m Nazis.” slates Christer Jaederlund. the Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm parcr “Tidningen.” He adds that a collapse on fhe German front could be precipitated by doubt as to whether to go on fighting, but doubters are being punished by death, and the wave of executions in recent months has frightened the Germans and quieted defeatist talk The German people havp been stripped of all possibilities of organising a revolution. Opposition to the regime or criticism is crushed by the all-powerful Himmler organisation. The Germans would not hesitat- to conduct wholesale massacre in order to wipe out revolt. German officials acknowledge that the Allied total air war is now the biggest home front problem and military problem confronting them. Precautions in France Speaking over the Paris radio. Marcel Deal, the Nazi sympathiser, said that an Allied invasion was inevitable and this, coupled with the state of terrorism in France, necessitated a strong Government. ... “We must dismiss all m the Administration and others in leading positions who are still pro-Allied and are hampering the Government’s programme.” he said. "We must arm the police effectively to deal with terrorists. The courts must cease passing light sentences on bandits. We have a strong Government. All we need is a united front to meet an Allied landing in France.” French refugees report that a secret French army, known as Macquis, plans vengeance against traitors. Quislings, and all who have collaborated with the Nazis. French girls who have been friendly with German soldiers have been executed without mercy by soccial squads of Macquis, who are stated to be highly organised and ready to help the Allied invasion. In the Haute Savoie region of southeast France Macquis receive arms and supplies by parachutes dropped by British airmen. The instructors, who are drawn mainly from the old French Army, train recruits in guerrilla fighting.