HIMMLER’S HOME GUARD

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 22, 20 October 1944, Page 4

HIMMLER’S HOME GUARD

German Announcement (Received October 19, 7 p.m.). LONDON, October 18. The establishment of a German Homi Guard—the Volkssturm, or People’s Stormtroops—comprising all able-bodied males from 16 to 60 years of age not already militarily engaged, was proclaimed by Hitler tonight, according to the German official news agency. “As in the autumn of 1939, we are once again confronting our enemies all alone,” Hitler says. Himmler is to be responsible for the organization of the new force, which will be on a military basis. Himmler today attended the first parade in a town in East Prussia. Introducing Hitler’s proclamation, the German radio for the first time for more than two years broadcast a victory'fanfare, which was so familiar in 1940-41, says the “Daily Mail.” The fanfare was heard from all German stations after half-an-hour of military marches and patriotic songs. The entire radio network, after an address by Himmler, took up the theme that the nation was united for the battle ahead. Himmler stated that the Volkssturm. would be armed with bazookas, machineguns and hand-grenades and would be employed solely as infantry with a battalion as the largest unit, under the command of men from the front. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says the supreme headquarters of the Vblkssturm has been established at Salzkammergut, in a mountainous region with deep caves 25 miles east of Berchtesgaden. The German news agency says the troops will not be uniformed, but will have arm bands with the words "Deutscher Volkssturm.” The deputy Press chief, Sundermann, told foreign journalists that the new organization conformed with the terms of The .Hague Convention. Himmler said that women would also be enrolled if necessary. Leader’s “Wistful Hope.” Himmler, in the course of his first broadcast to the German nation since 1937, said: “The British, the Americans and the Russians will learn that penetration of German soil will be equivalent to national suicide. The Germans, like wererear, cutting off their lifelines.” Hitler’s proclamation stated : “After a five-year struggle the enemy, helped by the defection of all our European allies, has come at some points near the German frontier, and has reached it at others. We must and shall succeed, as we succeeded from 1939 to 1941, not only in breaking the enemy’s determination to destroy us, but also in driving back the hostile forces and keeping them clear of the Reich till a peace is guaranteed which will safeguard the future of Germany and her allies and thereby Europe.” The “Daily Mail,” in a leading article, says Hitler’s reference to peace seems to conceal a wistful hope that terms may yet be arranged. If this is so Hitler was wasting his breath. Moscow radio declared: “Central Germany will be the battlefield of tomorrow. There is nothing Himmler, Goering or Hitler can possibly do to stop the final Allied onslaught. The German nation has been called to anus solely for (ho purpose of facilitating the escape of the high Nazi officials.”