GERMAN STRATEGY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 5

GERMAN STRATEGY

REVEALING BROADCAST

LONDON, February 19,

The German naval spokesman, ViceAdmiral Lutzow, broadcasting, declared that Mr. Churchill, in his speech on November 10, 1941, revealed to Germany Britain's plans in the ; Middle East by the emphasis he laid on. the Mediterranean front. The implementation of these plans would have enabled Britain to enforce a blockade against Germany even tighter • than that of the last war.

"After Churchill's speech we received secret information that a British offensive was imminent," lie said. "We then began to launch attacks against the British Mediterranean Fleet. The thunderstorm about to break in Africa left us no choice but to "send aid to General Rommel.

"Our first task was to break the enemy's crushing sea superiority, because the supply lines from Italy to North Africa were constantly severely menaced and suffered heavily. Thus we began ceaseless attacks •on Malta, which is the main base for British air and sea attacks., We were even forced to.push the Battle of the Atlantic into the background and withdraw a great number of U-boats. ■

"These reinforcements enabled General jßommel: to fight the battle of Sidi westward according to plan to1 obtain supplies sent by air and sea and await additional troops." '