INVASION MENACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23878, 31 January 1941, Page 7

INVASION MENACE

BRITISH AWARENESS ; "MAIN WAR FRONT" ' POSSIBILITY OF LANDING i By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyrignt ( LONDON, Jan. 30 ( The present strength of the German Army is estimated to be 225 ; divisions, a total of 4,500,000 men, on the basis of 20,000 men to a division. This includes 13 armoured divisions and 10 motorised divisions. Mr. .1. B. M cGechie, in a broadcast, said that tliis information had been given to him by a high military officer, who stated that these forces were spread over the greater part of the Continent. No fewer than 70 divisions, approximately 1..500.000 men, were on the Russian frontier. The officer said that these men were not available to the German High Command, and could not be made so in a short space of time, for operations in Western Europe. Early Effort Likely The officer told .Mr. McGeohie that Germany was likely to make every effort to reach a decision in the war before Britain's military strength was greater, and before help from the United States reached Britain in greater proportions. Mr. McGechie said that Germany's invasion forces stretched from Norway to Brittany, and there was reason to believe that sooner or later they would be put to the test for which they were training. "Still Greatest Danger" An authoritative commentator in London, states the British Broadcasting Corporation, points out that, in spite of the British successes in the African campaign, Britain is still the main war front, and invasion, although a difficult enterprise, may result in a landing in certain circumstances. Invasion is still the greatest danger to the Allied cause. The assistant-commissioner for southeast England, Earl De La Warr, stated that if invasion did come it would be on such a scale I'iat every part of Britain would be affected. The enemy, as in the Low Countries and in France, would no doubt try to create confusion and fill the roads with refugees. That was why the people of Britain had been told to stay where they were. Every town and village was ready to repulse the enemy. A competent observer in Vichy states that it is believed that an attempt at invasion will lie made early next, month, when the tides are most favourable. Germany's Air Strength Authorities in London discount ! American reports that IS,OOO German I aeroplanes are standing ready to bring 01)0 troops to invade Britain, says the aeronautical writer of the Times. It is pointed out that such a force would he an ideal target for bombers unless properly dispersed, which would require almost the whole territory under German occupation. There is no reason to believe that invasion preparations have been appreciably advanced in recent weeks, it is added. The Germans undoubtedly have a number of .Junkers o'J troop-carriers, but they will probably be used to transport troops and airmen to and from Germany on leave. HITLER TO SPEAK (Received January ISO. 11.00 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30 Miller, it is learned, is to make a speech at 3.30 p.m. to-day. Greenwich time (3.30 a.m. Friday, New Zealand time).