ACROSS SPAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20638, 19 August 1941, Page 9

ACROSS SPAIN

THREAT TO ROCK GERMAN BOAST ONLY 60 HOURS NEEDED MASSING OF TROOPS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 18, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17. The massing of troops on and near Spanish territory nearest to Gibraltar is reported by the Daily Telegraph’s special correspondent in the western Mediterranean. The correspondent states that Spanish troops in Morocco are not fewer than 350,000, and are steadily increasing with small reinforcements from Spain, possibly averaging 100 arriving daily. Spanish-born troops are concentrated chiefly on the plains in the west of Spanish Morocco. The native Moors are more numerous in the eastern mountains. German advisers in Morocco have been very discreet. Little is being seen of' the two panzer and three motorised divisions believed to be on the Pyrenees border of Spain. Apparently they have not been increased recently, but the total is not fewer than 100,000. French Morocco The Germans boast that they could cross Spain to Gibraltar in 60 hours. Realisation of the German plans for eventual action in the Iberian Peninsula depends very much on the Spanish attitude and also on events in French Morocco. The Germans, apparently, are not demanding immediate participation from Vichy, but a slow infiltration of German units to important bases. It is significent that the German armistice commission locked up French army material in Senegal with the evident intention of using it themselves. A large-scale movement will probably occur when important bases are well soaked with Germans. The only active collaboration immediately required from the French will be naval. The French navy is certainly the only body of Frenchmen ready to accept if not welcome war with Bi'itain. Efficient units of the French fleet are concentrated at Casablanca and Dakar.