War at Grimmest Stage, Says Goebbels

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 24, 29 January 1943, Page 5

War at Grimmest Stage, Says Goebbels

Received Thursday, 11.60 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 28. Goebtoeis in "Dae Reich” said: “The national morale demands that every German man from 16 to 65 ami every woman from 17 to 46 shall be compulsorily mobilised for war service or war work.” He added: "The war has entered Its grimmest stage and the measures about to be takeu will delve deeply Into German lamily life.” The Gazette de Lausanne says Germany has begun total mobilisation by conscripting youths of 16 to 19. The Berlin radio says tho political spokesman, Joachim Schlederdecker, quoted a German war decree dated 1679: “Who deserts the colours shall uang without mercy. Who in the midst of battle begins to retreat shall be put to death.” He said: “These ordinances must rule the new mobilisation, which will no longer apply only to soldiers. Countries, towns and villages have been immersed in misery while our homeland has been spared, tut we are witnessing an explosion of accumulated perils shaking European foundations. We not only watch the Soviet Union. We realise that their energies are being concentrated by Britain and America. More women than men enter English war factories at the beginning of a shift. Total war for Germany is the only slogan for many millions, but now the Headquarters Command has spoken in grim language. Life is grim and becomes even horrible when bombers come over German cities.

“Total war has become a reality. He who flees, deserts or falters must pay for it with his life. The name of Stalingrad resounds with a ring none must ignore. No privileges exist any longer. There will be no special right of profession, age or sex. Exemptions have come to an end.”