INVASION PLANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1944, Page 5

INVASION PLANS

GERMAN WATER DEFENCES

LONDON, March 21. The Germans are preparing to flood the Channel and North Sea coasts, according to the Berlin radio. ’“We are utilising lakes near the coast, making artificial lakes, canals, and dams which, under certain circumstances, will become water barriers difficult for the enemy to overcome,” said a broadcast. “We have drawn on all the battle experience of the German High Command to ensure that the vital surprise element is ours, even if the enemy should attempt to outflank the line with airborne troops. Large districts have already been turned into swamps in which attacking tanks will be boggeed down and under fire from German rotary anti-tank guns which can be swivelled completely round. Competent German military officers believe that this considerably increases the safety and preparedness of the German defences.” GENERAL PATTON RUGBY. March 21. A Washington message reports that the United States War Department said that Lieutenant-General Patton had been given command of “another army.” Officials refused further details. The Associated Press says that the new assignment is presumably in connection with preparations for the second front.