THREAT OF SECOND FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 June 1943, Page 2

THREAT OF SECOND FRONT

GERMAN PLANS AFFECTED FREE ADMISSION BY RUSSIANS (Rec. 11.40 am.) London, June 28. The Russians are freely admitting that the threat of a second front has profoundly affected the German High Command’s plans in Russia says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. The Russians believe the Germans are adopting delaying tactics in order to gain time to complete the so-called total mobilisation of military and labour resources of occupied Europe. The correspondent adds that the Russians are watching developments in Hungary with special interest. They consider Hungary is playing a tortuous game—unwilling to break with Hitler but anxious to give the Allies the impression she is no T longer interested in Germany’s quarrels. The Russians consider that largely as a result of repercussions at home after the defeat of the second Hungarian army at Voronej last winter the Hungarian Govern* ment, even if it so wanted, would not be capable of ordering further divisions to the Eastern Front.

The correspondent continues that the Russians also noted strained Italian and German relations, especially Hitler’s refusal to send German troops to south Italy despite Mussolini’s request. Tr.e natural conclusion is that there will be no fresh Italian troops for the Eastern Front in 1943. The Russians also consider that defects are appearing in German industry Professor Vargo, the Russian economist, stated that millions of Germany’s best industrial workers were withdrawn from the armed forces and the known coal production in Germany declined at least 15 per cent Moreover. Germany is suffering from a growing fail transport crisis because of the huge distances to the Eastern Front. —P.A.