TROOPS ON NORTH SEA COAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 9

TROOPS ON NORTH SEA COAST

HITLER EXPECTED ON WESTERN FRONT POSSIBILITY OF OFFENSIVE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 28 The French official radio commentator, discussing the overnight communique: "All quiet on the entire front," said enemy activity had considerably increased since yesterday. Raids were increasing in intensity east of the Moselle in the Forbach and Sarreguemines regions, mostly by groups of 100 men. The German artillery fire had become systematic; it was no longer localised, but was generalised and directed over the entire front. The German General Staff was apparently seeking information and attempting to dislocate the Allies' firmly-established positions. "There is heavy concentration of troops east from Bremen, and also considerable activity inside Germany," said the commentator. "What does all this portend? Come what may, we are ready. Eighty French divisions and the British Army are ready to meet all eventualities." Information in Paris confirms that the Germans are concentrating troops on?the North Sea coast between Bremen and Hamburg. The London Times says arrivals from Germany report that numbers of troops are concentrating on Wilhelmsliaven and Cuxhaven, two of Germany's main naval bases on the North Sea. A radio from Holland says German firms have recalled all representatives from that country. ** A message from Amsterdam states that Hitler will visit the Western Front next week. The transfer of German troops from Poland has been completed. Writing in the Paris newspaper Le Petit Parisien, a military commentator says everything suggests that this :is the eve of Hitler's big offensive. Between 75 and 80 German divisions are massed in the Rhineland, and shock troops are in position with tanks and anti-tank weapons ready behind the front line. Aviation concentrations have been completed and the German General Staff has evidently been given a last-minute overhaul. A formidable war machine is at General von Brauchitsch's disposal, with headquarters installed in a small town where Mr. Chamberlain met Hitler last year (presumably Godesburg). It is reliably stated that Germany has concentrated 32 divisions in the region of Pirmasens, east of Saarbrucken, 18 near . the Dutch frontier and four army corps, each of three divisions, face Switzerland between Basle and Lake Constance, with three others installed from Austrian territory between Lake Constance and the junction of the Swiss-Italian frontiers.