GERMAN DEFENCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 November 1942, Page 5

GERMAN DEFENCES

HOLLAND TO GREECE

(Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19. The Germans are hastily strengthening the defences in Greece against a possible Allied invasion attempt, says an Ankara report. Batteries of anti-aircraft guns have been rushed to southern Greek ports, and the coasts have been mined.

Germans in Turkey are spreading reports that enormous German forces are being brought from the Russian front to the Balkans, but Turkish Army officers estimate the Germans have only 20,000 men in Macedonia, the easternmost province of conquered Greece. They ask why the Germans should make mass withdrawals from Russia when the Russians are gathering fresh forces for a new Winter offensive.

The “Telegraph” says that the Germans are building a great defensive belt along the entire length of the Dutch and Belgian coasts. In Holland, the defence belt is 35 miles deep. Within this zone movement has been brought to a standstill and no person is allowed to change his place of residence or make contact with anyone outside the defence area. All coastal towns in Belgium have been heavily fortified and the Belgians compulsorily evacuated. The defence zone is 12 miles deep. Reports have reached Turkey of a wave of grumbling and criticism in the German Army. Dr. Ley has countered this with a manifesto m '■Dor Angriff” which says: Thoughts about high strategy have nothing to do with the ordinary soldier. He must have a fanatical belief in the right and might of his cause, and stick to the strictest discipline.