German Armies Near Point

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 58, 9 March 1945, Page 5

German Armies Near Point

Completely Lacking in Vital Reserves Truth of Churchill’s “One Good Strong Heave” nited Press Assn,—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 10.50 p.m. LONDON, March 8. The full meaning of Mr. Churchill's statement that only one big heave is required to end the war is that the Germans are completely lacking in vital reserves, says the Daily Mail’s diplomatic correspondent, quoting an authoritative informant. The German General Staff has no alternative to which it can resort in order to avert defeat. It cannot switch troops from west to east or vice versa because the position on both fronts has reached the crucial stage. The highest quarters believe the task of bridging the Rhine will not be exceptionally difficult as means whereby the Rhine can be bridged were worked out months ago. The Allies are now awaiting the opportunity to unfold their master plan and it is not expected that they will have to wait long. The engineers are ready to begin the task. It is unequivocably asserted in some military quarters that the German armies are so battered and depleted that they are no longer capable of mounting more than local counterattacks on either the eastern and western fronts, says the New York Times’ Washington correspondent. Observers consider Mr. Churchill’s confident declaration that one good strong heave would bring Germany’s defeat is no mere oratorical flight, but a statement based on military fact. Observers see the picture of futile local counterattacks and defences resulting in the Reichswehr being annihilated piecemeal. Of the 00 to 65 divisions she once had in West Germany she probably still has elements of virtually the same number. According to authoritative estimates, however, instead of being full strength divisions of 15,000 plus, they range from one fourth to half strength. There is a growing conviction that the German armies will give up piecemeal by local commanders’ decisions instead of en masse.