Invasion of Crete Said to Be Imminent

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 161, 9 July 1943, Page 5

Invasion of Crete Said to Be Imminent

Series of Terrific Blows to Gain Springboard Heavy Daily Bombings of Greek Coast United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 10.30 p.m. NEW YORK, July 8. Allied offensives are imminent in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to reports reaching high neutral and foreign naval quarters in Turkey, says the New York Times’ Ankara correspondent. It is not expected in Ankara that an eany attempt will oe made to invade the Greek and Thracian mainland, but it is believed that a series of terrific blows are imminent against Crete which will then be used as a springboard for an Allied leap on Southeast Europe. Invasions within a fortnight are feared by the Axis. The Germans are reported to have invoked a state of siege in Crete, Scarpanto and Leros and also warned the Italians to maintain a constant alert against attempted aerial and naval landings on the isles guarding the coasts of Greece and Thrace. Allied submarines and E-boats are said to be operating in strength in the Aegean while Allied longrange bombers are flying over the Greek coast daily and nightly in operations which are mostly not reported in either Allied or Axis communiques.