AXIS ANXIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 23 June 1943, Page 2

AXIS ANXIETY

POSITIONS IN BALKANS PRESS AND RADIO COMMENT (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) London, June 22. Information reaching Istanbul confirms reports of German and Italian anxiety about the position in the Balkans. The Istanbul correspondent of “The Times” says despite self-conscious attempts at optimism by the Axis press and radio it is easy to detect underlying gloomy tones when they are discussing Axis power of resistance to any Allied attack on the peninsula. Rome radio quoting a message from Ankara says rail transport for civilians has been completely suspended in Lebanon and Palestine, and a curfew has been imposed and motor vehicles are being requisitioned. “The Times” correspondent estimates that Axis forces in the Balkans comprise 29 Italian, 17 German and 20 Bulgarian divisions. Six of the German divisions arrived within the last few months. In addition there are some German naval contingents and heavy artillery units. Italians hold the western parts of Yugoslavia and Greece and Albania. Germans occupy the central Yugoslavia region, around Salonika and greater parts of the Greek coast, including Peloponnesos and practically all the islands. Bulgarians are garrisoned in Bulgarian-occupied parts of Serbia and Greece and in Bulgaria itself. The correspondent expresses the opinion that German resistance will be centred on Crete and the Dodecanese where they have sent some contingents lately, and also the coasts of Attica, Peloponnesos, and Macedonia. All other Greek islands are weakly garrisoned and it is doubtful if the Germans would put up resistance there except on Lemnos, which is believed to be strongly garrisoned and fortified on account of Mudros Bay.—P.A.