Balkans Ripe For Allied Invasion

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1943, Page 3

Balkans Ripe For Allied Invasion

(Rec. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. Almost every European country is ripe to align itself with the Allies against the Axis, says the Turkish newspaper “Vakit,” quoted by the Soviet news agency. ‘Vakit” describes the situation in the Balkans as alarming. Another Turkish journal, “Yeni Sabah," says that discontent is rife among Axis satellites. Resistance in occupied countries is growing. The initiative has passed into Allied hands. Reports reaching London stress growing German anxiety over the possibility of an Allied move against Greece. German engineers and Bulgarian workers, after completing defences on the Greek coast, are reported to have .'withdrawn ten miles inside the coastline, where they have started building a second defence line, a third chain of concrete fortifications being erected in Bulgarian-occupied Greece, along the Maritza River. Greeks Expect Early Success

The jittery attitude of Axis propagandists, and inspiring Allied broadcasts, have caused great excitement among the Greek population, who expect early liberation. Nothing shows more clearly how the initiative lies with the Allies than the wild guesses in enemy countries about forthcoming military moves, comments “The Times” diplomatic correspqndfent. German commentators and newspapers are obsessed with the R.A.F. raids, but still devote much time and space to what they think the Allies are planning to do next. A spate of such thoughts came from Bermany all the week-end. Italian newspapers dwelt in great detail on imminent Allied offensives against Italy, also other countries in South Europe.