JUGOSLAV PARTISANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1944, Page 6

JUGOSLAV PARTISANS

BIG EVENTS AHEAD german troops massing y LONDON, May 15.. “The Germans are massing in north-western Bosnia,” reports the representative of the combined British and American Press in a disnatch from Marshal Broz’s headquarsers in the Jugoslav mountains. “Thousands of Germans are gathered at Bihac and Bosanskanovi, on tne northern fringe of the mountainous county stretching into western Bosnia, which is one of Marshal Broz s major strongholds. The Germans are either preparing for a . drive through western Bosnia, hoping to dislodge the Partisan Army from the important positions they are holding, or they are preparing to move reinforcements' to the Dalmatian coast, where they fear an Allied invasion. Marshal Broz is not worried, because the Partisan armies in western Bosnia include some of Jugoslavia’s best fighting men. Also, the country is extremely rugged, with mountain ranges averaging more than 5000 feet. The Germans, even in they smashed through the mountains, would not be able to hold the country behind them.” TITO REVIEWS POSITION. RUGBY, May 15. “If one put together the various parts of the territQry, one half of Jugoslavia has been liberated,” Tito told correspondents who recently visited him in his headquarters “lair.” “The enemy began the offensive towards the end of April in Eastern Bosnia, Montenegro and Sanjak. Early in May he also attacked Macedonia, and in the Toplica sector of Serbia. In Montenegro and Sanjak the offensive was completely routed, and in Eastern Bosnia, the Jugoslavs went over to the counter-offensive. The enemy is also attacking in Lika Slavonika and other provinces. In other sectors the -fight still goes on. The Germans are still able to conduct offensives in separate sectors, but not in the country as a whole. They no longer command sufficient forces, nor is their morale as high as a year ago. It is my conviction that with the early opening of the second front we shall be able to go over to the counter-offensive in all sectors.”

< Tito added that there is no sign of a German withdrawal. On the contrary, the enemy was bringing up reinforcements. The Jugoslav Supreme Staff was in conference on ail points of common operations with the Allies. Although the Allies had recently increased military supplies there was urgent need for even more assistance. He hoped in future that lend-lease would supply not only the immediate needs, but also build up reserves for a potential army of 000,000. Answering questions regarding post-war plans, Tito said that what was wanted was, firstly, the creation of a nationally equal federal Jugoslavia. Secondly, the creation of a truly democratic Jugoslavia. This was already in the making. He expressed the opinion that future wars involving the Balkans could only be ' guarded against by the establishment of the closest relations and friendship among Balkan countries, and the only way to achieve that was for all Balkan peoples to let democracy and liberty rule their countries. As far as the Jugoslavs were concerned, it was their wish that they should continue the closest friendship and collaboration with the Allies after the Avar, especially with Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union. IMPREGNABLE HEADQUARTERS. DINNER WITH MARSHAL. ""RUGBY, May 14. An “incredible lair” in the Jugoslav mountains where Tito has his headquarters was described by a British correspondent who dined with the Marshal a few evenings ago. Revealing that 15 German divebombers attempted unsuccessfully some time ago to blast Tito from his headquarters, the correspondent says: The Marshal has the most impregnable headquarters of any commanding general in the world. “They are a series of natural caves, running in a gallery straight into the sides of a deep ravine. They are less than 20 miles from where the fighting is going on to-day. To reach them, our guards, who were changed three times during the journey from our billets, led us along a rough path'cut on the rock face, and up the side of a ravine. Beside us, for part of the journey, a great waterfall plumed down in a thundering cascade into the dim moonlit valley far below. At times we clung to the rocks as the path twisted and turned round jutting spurs and ledges. At last we arrived panting at the top, to find the Marshal waiting. He led us into his study, the four walls of which were lined with sheets of pure white silk from parachutes. The same material was used for shades over electric lights. The meeting was completely informal and we discussed a variety of topics. I asked him if he thought German and Quisling troops had any plans for another offensive against the partisans’ army. He answered: ! No. I do not think they have. The main German concern at the moment is to keep the forces of the National Army of Liberation split up into groups throughout the country. German tactics consist of minor thrusts in various localities with the idea of making the partisans use up the scanty stores of ammunition, andthus immobilise them. We are finding the German soldier deteriorating as a fighter.’ “After 40 minutes’ talk an orderly brought in a decanter of Slivovic, a plum brandy peculiar to Jugoslavia. Dinner followed, consisting of cold meats, omelette, small steaks and chops, followed by chocolate pudding—all washed down'by red Dalmatian wine. We left after midnight, rather dreading the path down the side of the ravine, but we made it.”