SUSPENSE IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24237, 20 April 1944, Page 5

SUSPENSE IN EUROPE

Preparations For Invasion french warned by b.b.c. (N.Z- Press Association—Copyright) race. 8 p.m.) LONDON. April 19. Eun>P e has been keyed to a new nitch of anticipation by more drasL restrictions imposed on diplomats in Britain, by a 8.8.C. broadest to the French, and by a fresh hurst of invasion warnings from enemy an<l neutral sources in western Europe. ■jhe British Government last nieht took new steps to place diplomat under aH restr ‘ t!tions affectine “any other alien.” Diplomats hiUierlo have been free to move about Britain as they wished. The curfew and other restrictive orders did not apply to them. The new order authorises the Government, “ notwithstanding anything in the law,” to keep diplomats from certain military areas tnd prevent them moving about freely. The heads of missions— Ambassadors and Ministers—come under the new order, as well as their official domestic staffs. "Time Is getting short.” said the radio message. “To all Frenchmen with wireless receivers listening to these instructions, we say: ■Memorise everything in detail.’ At any moment your sets may be taken from you.” The French were Warned to store food supplies against a period of emergency. "This must be done now,” said the broadcast. “If you have every detail fresh In your minds you will be able to carry out your instructions to the letter and pass them on to your colleagues. F “During the liberation of France, and even after the liberation, the supplying of foodstuffs will be difficult. It is very probable that the liberation of the country will take time. The distribution of food to the civilian population during the fighting can only be effected on a very small scale by the Allied authorities. Wherever possible, it is imperative that each family should store food in the greatest quantities possible. “At leaat until the day of liberation comes'civilians must live on what they have stored. Even after the liberation it must be understood that all the Allied fleets will be engaged in military operations, and that the food supplies they will be able to ship to the liberated countries will not be very abundant." German Comments "The restrictions which Britain has Imposed on diplomatic communications are sure signs that the Allied invasion of Europe is very near,” said a Berlin spokesman. "We are ready for whatJever may happen. The Atlantic Wall is bristling with 30,000 automatic and anti-aircraft guns.” A-special radio station serving the German anti-invasion forces on the Atlantic coast has issued a warning that •19ia must not be repeated in any circumstances. Whenever zero hour strikes, you must fight as you have never fought before. Every German soldier must fight like a devil in the battles ahead. Listen to us daily, German soldiers, airmen, and sailors here on the Western Front. We shall be your constant companion in coming days.” Reuter’s says that a radio station situated in northern France, which is equipped with a powerful transmitter, sends out musical programmes, slogans, and special announcements to the troops. A Berlin spokesman commented that the invasion largely depended on the weather and that the next week’s weather would be favourable for gigantic operations, while a military spokesman said; “The British and Americans might be able to win the first round.” The German military commentator, von Hallensleben, said; “Extensive German preparations and massed concentrations of British and American forces indicate that it will not be long now before the invasion starts.” The Berne correspondent of the “Daily Express” says that an interesting indication of the mind of Germany at present is an article in the Stuttgart “Kurier,” which says: "Everywhere, in restaurants, railways, offices, and factories, a large number of problems are bow being discussed. Many Germans may believe that it is dangerous to talk frankly about these questions, which worry them. Why should we not discuss them openly for once?” The paper continues to ask questions and reply to them. The questions include: “Why do we not throw our reserves into the battle?” “How long do you want to wait with our bombing retaliation? Until all our cities are smashed to dust?” “Why do we not use lour aviation reserves if we have got Hhem?” “Is it not a fact that the Bri(■tish and the Americans are now literally swamping us with their unlimited ‘material; that by their continuous invasion threat our reserves are immobilised in western and southern Europe, and that during this time we are bleeding to death in Russia? Why do we not do something about it?” Ail the answers give soothing replies. Observers in London, while speculating on the imminence of the second front, recall that Mr Churchill, in his speech on March 26, said that, “to deceive and baffle the enemy, there will be many false alarms, feints, and dress rehqarsals” before the second front 'opens. Neutrals’ Opinions It is argued in Stockholm, however, that it is not possible to hold up the movements of diplomats for very long and that, therefore, something very big must be just round the corner. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm paper “Aftonbladet” says: Many people in Germany believe that me invasion may begin in the next jew days, but the second half of May is Ucely to be the most critical period. The overwhelming conviction is that me British action is too drastic to be 1 mere feint.” A Swiss correspondent in Germany Has reported that "Germany is keyed JjP as never before. The invasion is exml e< * any m °ment.” The Paris radio said: “The invasion ? fiear—nearer even than we could nave expected.” According to the Belgian News Agency, the Germans are taking special I precautions in the Low Countries. Reuter’s correspondent in Stockholm Jr 0 "; 8 Swedish sources as saying that ne British restrictions mean that the mvasion is duo at any moment. vi« ar , re kaval, addressing French promcial mayors, said: “Perhaps this day s impending now. Even if the invasion not take Place the menace is enough, as we fear that the 2~ les will try to stage a partisan wari? 6 t on our So 'l- I have been worried jWUt the probability of an Allied land- „ Severe Restrictions ala„ Ol s mon^ on the restrictions thoa- °t n t° r . e isn diplomats in Britain, Ptp “‘P'omatic correspondent of the l ss Association says: “Never before ». n . a coun try taken measures so strinbiiif 0 ensure that no inkling of. its Dhn ry Preparations, strategy, and Am- rcach the enemy. Russia and arc the only exceptions to the tol^J 3nnollrif ' crnc nt applies not only i Ssaclors ’ Ministers, and other at tached to foreign Embas- . and Legations. but to naval, mili°fflcials a ' r attaches an( f similar Governments of the Soviet ttmi? an ? the United Stales, which reUaJf- asl< ed Eire to close the German la n„i°i? ant * 'the Japanese Consulate L In ; were both consulted before Siti ° n °* iese drastic security igji- felt that the safety of thoudeiw,a Br itish and American soldiers vdhn aii-’ ? n preserving the secrets of iial . ssc '°nd front, that it is cssenl* 4 that there shall be no leakage to