“HITLER’S VIEW OF WAR”

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 7

“HITLER’S VIEW OF WAR”

BELIEF IN GERMAN VICTORY

MORE REPORTS ABOUT ROCKET WEAPON

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. Hitler still believes that Germany can win the war, according to Dr. Schmidt, head of the Press Department of the German Foreign Office. Giving "Hitler’s own view of the war, Schmidt said: "No longer can military standards alone he applied in gauging the prospects of victory. “Those who pre-fiously declared that the war was lost for Britain when France went down, or that the Soviet was inevitably doomed when the Ukraine and the Donets basin were invaded, now know better —to tpeir own cost. Those who at present believe Germany is lost when the enemy stands on the Rhine are guilty of the same error. , , “Our military reverses of the last months have been clearly traced to their sources and taken to heart. Germany must conquer because otherwise the Reich will go under. Germany can conquer. Germany will conquer. Reports about Germany’s V2 secret weapon continue to reach Britain from neutral sources. Goebbcls has announced that the new terror is ready for use and German .newspapers have published details of the subterranean factory where it is produced. The projectile, according to most reports, is 50 fe-t long and five feet in diameter. It has a warhead containing about one ton of high explosive and carries nine tons of petrol for motive power. The petrol, with the addition of a chemical burned under pressure. generates n powerful gas which is discharged through a series of jets in the tail and farces the rocket through ihe air. It is fired with an extremely high trajectory which carries it into Ihe stratosphere. Descending, it achieves a greater velocity than that of sound.

“MONTH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE”

U.S. BROADCAST FROM EISENHOWER'S CAMP

LONDON, Sept. 21

The Allies are well over a month ahead of schedule, according to an American broadcast from General Eisenhower’s camp in eastern France. “This is wonderful for tactical operations,” said the broadcast. The broadcaster disclosed that General Eisenhower was recently indisposed. He said that the general had done much travelling in western Europe to fonfer with the commanders, but he was unable to get away from his desk for long. He had been driving himself to a point where his physique could not stand the strain. Under the flood of administrative work his health had deteriorated so much that he was instructed not to leave headquarters for a couple of days. The broadcaster added: “He is in tough form to-day, however, and sparks are flying. He wants the utmost pressure against the enemy without any sympathy.”

BELGIAN THRONE

REGENT TILL KING’S RETURN

PRINCE CHARLES TAKES OATH LONDON, Sept. 21. Prince Charles, younger brother of King Leopold, has been sworn in as Regent of Belgium until the return of the King, who is being held prisoner by the Germans. Prince Charles to-day paid a tribute to the Allied fighting forces, and thanked the Belgian patriots for the work they had done since D Day. He said they had destroyed nearly 1000 railway engines and trucks, cut nearly 1000 cables, and had attacked 70 rail and road bridges. The Brussels radio says that Prince Charles took the oath before Parliament. He said: “The nation has called on me to serve her and I have accepted, I shall serve my country in accordance with the Constitution until the King returns and resumes his rightful place. I wish to express to our powerful Allies Belgium’s gratitude, and also her thanks to the patriots, soldiers, and members of the resistance movements. Belgium will continue to fight beside the Allies until victory is won.” . Born in 1903, Prince Charles is two years younger than King Leopold. He was educated at Eton and passed as a cadet into the British Navy. After serving at sea for some years he retired with the honorary rank of lieutenant; Flying attracted him, and he became a major in the Belgian Air Force. The Government of Luxemburg is the third Allied Government to regain its capital. The President and four Ministers left London to-day by air and arc expected to arrive in Luxemburg at the week-end.

TRIAL OF BELGIAN TRAITORS

MILITARY COURTS IN NINE CITIES

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Sept 21. Military courts will bo established 10-dav for the trial of traitors at Brussels, ’ Antwerp, Bruges; Charleroi, Ghent, Liege, Malines, Mons, and Namur, according to a statement by M. Delfosse. Belgian Minister of Justice, quoted by the Brussels radio- ’ “With information from Belgium, said M. Delfosse, “we prepared while in London dossiers of a great number Of traitors. These dossiers will be augmented with information collected in Belgium. We will adhere to legal powers and will not use the terrible methods of reprisal which the Germans have adopted. Many traitors and collaborators have escaped by flight and those sheltering them face serious consequences.” ....