Blitzkrieg May Be Delayed, Gayda Tells Italy

Northern Advocate, 1 August 1940, Page 5

Blitzkrieg May Be Delayed, Gayda Tells Italy

( Received noon.)

LONDON. Julv 31

A ROME MESSAGE SAYS THAT SIGNOR GAYDA, MUSSOLINI’S PRESS MOUTHPIECE, WARNED ITALIANS NOT TO EXPECT AN IMMEDIATE INVASION OF BRITAIN.

He explains that, because of the different conditions, a spectacular, lightning 1 campaign similar to that against France is not feasible.

Instead, more gradual tactics are required to wear down Britain and weaken resistance. Invasion will probably be attempted when the preliminaries have been thoroughly accomplished.

Mr. Churchill paid a surprise visit to the Xorth-east of England and inspected coastal fortifications and defence works. Addressing the workers, he said:

“I don’t know whether Hitler has ‘missed the bus,’ but whatever happens he won’t have such a comfortable journey as he might have had a few months ago.” A report from Vichy states that postal, telephonic and telegraphic communication in the French occupied zone, and between occupied and unoccupied zones is reported to have been suspended.

The British United Press correspondent at Vichy said that train services to Paris have resumed, permitting the return of refugees.

“Germany Striking Now

The Berlin News Agency stated that after the conclusion of the campaign in France, the impression had arisen that Germany was waging war against Britain in a haif-hearted way. Nothing was more erroneous.

Germany is making war against Britain ivith the same determination and certainty of victory as against Poland and France, the agency added.

“The burden of this effort now rests on the shoulders of a few thousand men only—crews of submarines, tor-pedo-boats and planes. “The question as to when Germany is going to strike can be answered thus Germany has been striking daily and hourly for five weeks since the French armistice.

“The method now being used permits the use of a limited number of men only,” says the agency.