ROMMEL V. RUNDSTEDT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1944, Page 5

ROMMEL V. RUNDSTEDT

FORMER’S DISMISSAL ALLEGED

INVASION DEFENCE RIVALRY / (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Recd. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. An interesting question is raised by the “Evening Standard’s” correspondent, writing from the Twenty-first Army Group Headquarters, whether Rundstedt and Rommel, who were known, to have different views for planning 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 pointers are that he is not in command.” , x . The correspondent adds that Rundstedt who is supreme in command, based his plans on the belief that nothing could prevent the Allies landing in force. His policy, therefore, was to cut down on coastal defences, and dispose the mass of his men and .materials for a quick crushing counter-blow. Rommel, who is L Hitler’s Inspector-General of Defences, however, declared the battle must be fought on the beaches, that the invaders must be given a murderous reception and thrown into confusion, and then the reserves could come up and hurl them back into the sea.' “It is now known that when Rommel was in Normandy shortly before the invasion he moved forward into the coastal defence zone troops that Rundstedt had posted some distance behind the front line. He was confident that by strengthening the coastal defences he could make the lauding so costly that the invaders would be thrown back in confusion. Then he would bring up the Panzers. This is exactly how Montgomery anticipated Rommel would try to fight the battle.” , J The correspondent adds that Montgomery on D Day, said: “Rommel is too impulsive for a setpiece type oi battle. I think his forte is disruption. I would say that Rommel will aim at defeating us on the beaches.” The correspondent continues: /‘Montgomery defeated Rommel in North Africa because he was always able to see into Rommel’s mind and discern what he would do next. He again defeated him because once more he has been a jump ahead of his old adversary.”

LEADERS’ CHARACTERISTICS “The Times’s” 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 the estimation of their opponents to play a large part in thenstrategic tactics. Fie continues: The German verdict on Rundstedt is almost wholly favourable. Though he may be less brilliantly clever than Leeb, he is the best all-round German commander, knowledgable. reliable, calm, canny, practical and resolute. “A very interesting point about Rundstedt, is that he is regarded in the army as the most prominent anti-Nazi among 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 that the defeat of Germany is inevitable at least two years ago.” His situation is truly difficult. He detests Nazidom and wants to save his caste and army from destruction, but firstly, he is surrounded by Nazis, doubtless detailed to watch him. Secondly, he is a patriotic man. On the other hand, Rommel is the subject of violent controversy. He is generally described as restless, difficult, capricious, apt to change his mind, overbearing and unpopular with the officers, though there is no question of his hold upon the troops in general. He possesses the reputation, of displaying terrific driving power and keenness. He is master of the tactics of deception, and makes the fullest use of opportunities, but on the other hand what he does not know, and does not think for himself, has no existence. Also, if he bluffs once successfully. he thinks a similar sort of bluff will succeed half a dozen times. It is noted that he has always been a difficult colleague, and that he and Kesselring were constantly at loggerheads in Africa. If the theory is correct that Rommel is out, then it may be an important background to the .trend of events.

ROMMEL OUTWITTED. (Rec. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. The siege of the great naval port of Cherbourg is presumably about to start, says the “Daily Express” military writer, Morley Richards. American patrols were last reported to be less than 10 miles from the port. Rommel has also failed to stop the Allied penetration inland from the bridgehead. Last night it reached 18 miles inland. The Allied leaders did not think we could advance so far in the general strategic set-up in that time. Montgomery has made the enemy commit his tactical reserves in one group at a time, instead of as a cohesive force. Strategic reserves are still not in action. This is the result of the savage Allied Air Force attacks' on German communications, and it is possible the Germans have not been able to concentrate enough reserves to mount a full counter-attack. This does not mean that the counter-attack will not come. It must come sooner or later or the enemy will have to confess defeat in North-west France. The longer Rommel delays, the weaker his chance of success becomes. It is an eminently satisfactory position. Rommel is being outwitted and his superior. Rundstedt, clearly cannot make up his mind if this is the main Allied landing. •

DIETMAR’S LAMENT. (Rec. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 13. “The peril lying in the massing ot enormous forces and materials just off the Continent has become a crisis,” stated Col. Dietmar over the Berlin radio. “We are in the midst of its first acute stage. We have no illusions about the significance of the clash. The Armageddon has entered its decisive phase. It is no longer a battle in the ordinary sense. It is a question of win or die. There has already been a surprise between the Orne and the Vire. We could not foresee that the enemy command would be prepared to flood us with men and material, regardless of losses. This method reeked of the strategy of the Russian General Staff. Montgomery has assembled only , half his forces in Normandy and we have to make plans for more large-scale landings, the range of which will only gradually unfold. One fact emerges—the enemy within a week has' established himself in a bridgehead some 50 miles broad and at points has spread the depth of the bridgehead beyond the range of his naval artillery. ______________