GERMAN ANXIETY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 281, 24 August 1944, Page 5

GERMAN ANXIETY

Confession To Public LONDON, August 22. « “The position for Germany is too serious to permit of any concealment,” said General Dietmar, high command commentator, broadcasting to the German nation. “The Allies’ huge air superiorityon the western front makes every German movement more difficult. A high degree of cold-bloodedness of leadership, in addition to extraordinary fighting achievements by the German troops, will be necessary to meet the coming difficult period. “The battle raging in France threatens to jeopardize much of what we gained in 1940 and thereafter regarded as an essential part of our military power. Perhaps we will be compelled to wage war on a reduced scale in the west as. well as in the east. The fighting in the west in the past few weeks has taken a course involving new and heavy’ anxieties for the German people. . . “A second Allied pincer movement on a considerably larger scale is beginning to take shape near Mantes and Vernon, on the lower side of the Seine. No one can ignore the gravity of the situation. But no doubt this also can be stabilized. “There are developments maturing on which to pin faith and confidence. Everything depends on our ability to bridge the gap resulting from shortcomings aud weaknesses in some military fields.” General Check Claimed. The German High Command spokestian claims that the Allies driving against Paris from the Chartres aud Lc Mans area have been halted west of St. Germain, Versailles, and Arpajon, and also that the Allied operation from the Orleans region making for the upper Seine has been halted at an approximate line through Orleans, Pithiviers, Fontainebleau, and along the OrleansMontargig railway. A new Allied operation is beginning to develop, driving south of Orleans. The general situation in western France has been largely stabilized, adds the spokesman. Berlin radio's commentator, Sertorius, said: “The operation in Provence is taking its inevitable course because of the great Allied superiority and the support of the Maquis. The German command is meeting the situation by elastic tactics deep into France.” The Germans tonight, admitted (he Maquis hold Vichy and Grenoble, also that the F.F.I. have captured a number of towns along and near the Spanish frontier, including Bayonne.

The German news agency says it was officially announced at the Vvilhclmstrasse that most members of the Vichy Government have taken up residence in eastern France. The Wilhelmstrassc spokesman refused to comment on Petain’s whereabouts.