LEADERS AT LOGGERHEADS

Evening Star, Issue 25201, 14 June 1944, Page 4

LEADERS AT LOGGERHEADS

RUNDSTEDT AND ROMMEL LATTER REPORTED "OUT" OPPOSING PLANS TO COUNTER-INVASION (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (llec. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. An interesting question is raised by the ' Evening Standard's ' correspondent writing from Twentyfirst Army Group Headquarters. It is whether von Rundstedt and Rommel, who were known to have different views for the planning of the defence against invasion, have disagreed, and whether Rommel has been deposed. "It is believed that Rommel is ' out,' " says the correspondent. " No definite news has reached this headquarters since the invasion began, but all the pointers are that he is not in command." The correspondent • 6ays that von Rundstedt, who is supreme in command, based his plans on the belief that nothing could prevent the Allies lauding in force. His policy, therefore, was to cut down on the coastal defences and to dispose the mass _ of his men and materials for a quick, crushing counter-blow. Rommel, who is Hitler's inspector-general of defences, however, declared that the battle must, be fought on the beaches, that the invaders must be given a murderous reception and thrown into confusion, then the reserves would come up and hurl them back into the sea. "It is now known that when Rommel was in Normandy shortly be. fore the invasion he moved forward into the coastal defence zone troops that, von Rundstedt had posted some distance behind the front line. He was confident that by strengthening the coastal defences he could make the landing so costly that the invaders would be thrown back in confusion, then he Would : bring up his panzers. This is exactly how General Montgomery anticipated Rommel would try 'to fight the battle," MONTGOMERY KNOWS ROMMEL, General Montgomery, on D-Day, said, the correspondent discloses: " Rommel is too impulsive for a set piece type of battle. I think his forte is disruption. I would say he will aim at defeating us , on the beaches." The correspondent continues: "General Montgomery defeated Rommel in North Africa, because ho was always able to see into his mind and discern what he would do next. He again defeated Rommel because once more he has been a jump ahead of his old adversary." RUNDSTEDT ANTI-NAZI. ' Tie Times ' military correspondent, while not commenting on this theory, says the characteristics of the hostile leaders are of far more than personal or academic interest. Many great captains in military history allowed an estimation oi their opponents to play a large part in their strategic tactics. The German verdict on von Rundstedt, he continues, is almost wholly favoursble. Though he may be less brilliantly clever than von Leeb, he is the best allround German commander, (knowledgeable, reliable, calm, canny, practical, and resolute. .." A very interesting point about von Rundstedt is that he is regarded in the army as the most prominent anti-Nazi among the. senior officers, and the only one who might possibly attempt to throw Hitler out. At the same time he is believed to have come to the conclusion, at least two years ago, that the defeat of Germany was inevitable." The correspondent adds that von Runditedt's situation is truly difficult. He detests Nazidori and. wants to save his caste and his army from destruction, but, first, 1b is surrounded _by Nazis doubtless 'detailed to watch him; secondly, he is at batrioticman. On the other hind, Rommel is the subject of violent Ho is generally described as restless, difficult, capricious, and apt to change his mind. He is overbearing|and unpopular with his officers, though there is no question of his hold upon lie troops in general. He possesses a refutation of displaying terrific driving pwer and keenness. He is a master If tactics and of deception, and he hakes the fullest use of opportunities, lut, on the other hand, what he does no? know and does not think for himsef has no .existence. Also, if he bluffi once successfully he thinks a similar bluff will succeed half a dozen times, j It has been ntied that he has always been a difficult Jolleague, and that he and Kesselring <j>nstantly wero at loggerheads in Africa. If the theory is correct that Ronmel is out, then it may provide an important background to the trend of evdits.