CONFUSION FOR AXIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1943, Page 6

CONFUSION FOR AXIS

TENSION IN THE BALKANS

LONDON, September 15. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that Genertil Antohescu is facing a growing threat of open-revolt in Rumania as a result of the Russian advance and Germany's demands for troops for the reinforcement of Balkan garrisons. Rumanian leaders profess loyalty to Hitler, but want to concentrate troops on the home front. It is believed that the Government is losing control.

Reports of fighting and political shifts which are, filtering through from the Balkans reveal that the Axis nations are facing. a situation of confusion and; increasing tension. Berlin radio charged "Communist ;bandits and British agents" with to frustrate Germany's protection of the Balkans, and added that there are attempts by the Communist populace of some Dalmation. towns to organise street fighting.

Allied sources report that Yugoslavs, aided by Italian troops, are bitterly resisting German .columns driving from the interior to take over control of the Dalmatian coast. The Italians hold vast regions of the coast. Italians and Yugoslavs are reported to hold Dubrovnik and the railway junctions, of Karkovac, 30 miles south-west of Zagreb, and Ogulin, 38 miles east of Fiurrie, also Vis, Hvar, and Brae Islands. ■

The German news agency admitted that there were losses when a troop train was blown up in Yugoslavia, after which furious fighting developed along the railway line. The agency reported • that Herr Himmler is demanding the arrest of the German General Alexander yon Lohr, former commander-in-chief in the Balkans, because he set a bad example to other commanders in-occupied countries by constantly demanding reinforcements.

It is also reported that a German tank army commander, at the head of paratroops, arrested General Rossi, the Italian commander-in-chief in the Balkans. .

German sources, quoting Prince Cyril, one of the Regents in Bulgaria, says that the new Bulgarian Govern-ment-will follow the late King Boris's policy. However, "The Times" points out that conservative pro-Allied elements are participatingdn the Government; 'Turkish reports from Sofia say that Prince Cyril informed Germany that Bulgarian forces would oppose a British-American landing in southeastern Europe, but would not resist if the Russians reached Bulgaria.