GERMAN PROPAGANDA

Evening Star, Issue 24082, 31 December 1941, Page 7

GERMAN PROPAGANDA

PAMPHLET FOR NEW ZEALANDERS LAUGHABLE AND FUTILE (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, December 29. Attempts to create a cleavage between the Imperial and British troops is typified in a pamphlet found by the New Zealanders in a German Luftwaffe officer’s tent at Gambut. The pamphlet, which is laughable for its futility, is addressed to Australian and New Zealand troops, and reads: ‘ Last month has been baleful for England. In 12 days the Italian and German forces have covered more than 300 miles and reconquered Libya from El Aglieila to Bardia, have recaptured many thousands of prisoners, and have reached and overrun the Egyptian frontier. On the Balkan front Yugoslavia and Greece, after they had lost some hundreds of thousands of men and a huge deal of war material, have been knocked out Both lands have been thoroughly occupied, and over Belgrade and Athens now flutter the colours of Italy and Germany. Australian and New Zealand troops, you are among the nations sends to fight in order to save her° own citizens. Also in Greece your regiments have (been slaughtered with a view to cover the retreat of the English. Now that shameful trick was again played in Ethiopia and on any other front. Why do you not rebel against this unrighteous, barbarous

yoke? Break loose the fetters at once and regain your independence. Your gallantry, your valianco have the right to.” Bad spelling and bad grammar rua, through the wording of the pamphlet. As far as is known none was dropped on New Zealand troops, nor distributed among them, any way. ROMMEL HEMMED IN FINAL BATTLE APPROACHING LONDON, Dec 30. The latest Cairo communique states that a large column of enemy forces, including tanks, which were retreating south of Jedabaya, was heavily bombed by the R.A.F., and a number of tanks and armoured vehicles were destroyed. Further details are awaited. The Air Force is pressing home its bombing and. low-flying attacks on the retreating • forces. Earlier agency reports from Cairo state that what may be the final battle of the Libyan campaign is now in preparation. The Imperial forces have General Rommel’s forces hemmed m between the hills and the sea, and are advancing noon them from the south. Berlin has also stressed the importance of the position, but has made no claims recently, stating only that the Germans are still fighting. Heavy rains are holding up operations on both sides, but the R.A.F. is taking full advantage of the effect of the rams to harass the enemv rear, having occupied no fewer than 39 aerodromes previously held by the enemy.