HITLER'S SPEECH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24539, 23 March 1943, Page 3

HITLER'S SPEECH

EASTERN CRISIS OVER DANGER FROM THE WEST LONDON, March 21 "We have overcome the crisis and begun operations on the eastern front which will guarantee final victory," said Hitler, in his speech at "Heroes' Day" celebrations in Berlin. This was his first public appearance for more than four months. Referring to the postponement of the celebration from last week, Hitler said: "Only now have I been able to leave with a calm conscience the place where I have been working for many months. Thanks to the spirit of sacrifice and heroism of our soldiers on the eastern front, it is possible finally to overcome the crisis into which the German Army was plunged by an unfair fate, to stabilise the front and begin operations which will guarantee our successes dm*ing the coming months until we reach final victory. "Under these circumstances cancellation of leave, which was in force for many months, has been lifted from today so that our brave men can return to their homes to an increased extent in the coming months. Last Winter's Threat "Last winter must have removed any doubt concerning the seriousness of the gigantic struggle," ho continued. Historians will tell how great was the danger of .Europe being overrun last winter. That danger was overcome, thanks to the soldiers to which to-day is dedicated. Even a glance at the gigantic preparations Bolshevism made to wipe out our world shows whore Germany and Europe would have landed it National Socialism had not taken over power 10 years ago and if it had not resolved to wipe out this movement and reorganise the German Army. "A pitiless, merciless war was forced on us by international Jewry. It is a war which would have laid Europe in ruins if we had not halted it at the frontiers of Europe. . " In addition to the barbarism winch is threatening the world from the east, wo also face the destructive rage of the so-called Western Alliea, whose aims arc clear from countless publications; speeches and public demands. Idle chatter about the Atlantic Charter will carry as little weight with us as W llson's 14 points. .Bolshevik Bogey "Just as the warmonger Churchill foreshadowed future development: when ho stated in 1936 that Ger many must again be destroyed so the same democratic elements ar( now showing in their peace aims whal type of Europe they plan after the war These aims are identical with the statements of their Bolshevik allies-—'th< extermination of all people on the Con tinent of Europe who are conscious o: their nationalities and the Germai

people in particular. " The determination of our peoples ;s spurred on by the knowledge of the nortal danger and by the fanaticism which is determined to banish the ianger to Europe and to our own nation once and for all. I repeat my prophecv that at the end of the war it will not be Germany and her allies svlio have fallen victims of Bolshevism, but those countries and nations winch, because they are insecure in their social arder, and because they fall into the hands of the Jews once more, are particularly vulnerable to the Bolshevik poison. . . Gigantic Mobilisation " This winter has not brought a feeling of defeatism among the German people," Hitler continued. "It lias evoked gigantic of theii strength. Armament production is increasing, although many workers have been released from the industry as the result of the millions of new m'en now in the German Army. Hundreds ol thousands of girls and women hav< been mobilised for war work. The futur< will not be decided by those who drov( their people to war, but by statesmen who in spite of limited resources managed to lead their people to greal achievements. _ „ " The German National Sociahs State will after the war work stil more untiringly for the realisation o its programme. Thus the 542,000 Ger man dead, who have thus far beei killed in the second world war, wil not have died in vain." Hitler spoke for 15 minutes—one o the shortest of his speeches. He wa not introduced with the customar; fanfare. He spol\o rapidly without em phasis and without feeling. He was no interrupted by applause, nor was ther

applause Inter. Hitler was accompanied by Goering. itoitol, Milch, Bock, Docility, and other service leaders. What was probably a tribute to the Royal Air Force was the decision of the leaders in Berlin not to announce that Hitler was speaking until 50 minutes before the speech was due to begin. CAMPAIGNS IN CHINA JAPANESE RETREATS (Kecd, 11.15 p.m.; CHUNGKING-, March *2l Japanese forces on the border of Yunnan Province and Burma launched attacks from Tengchung against Panmicliieh, but after a fierce battle the enemy retreated, says a Chinese communique. The Chinese began a counter-attack against advancing Japanese in the Lungling; sector and forced the enemy to retreat, Chinese forces re-entered flwajung, in tho Hunan-Hupeh border region. The Berlin radio reported that the Japanese had captured the village of Pienna, on the Jjurma-Chjna frontier. The radio said: "The capture frustrates the enemy's attempts to establish a line of communication to China after the loss of the Burma Road." Intensified fighting is raging south of Shihshu, in southern Hupeh Province, Kiangpotii again fell into enemy hands after the arrival of more reinforcements. Chinese forces attacking at Michikou, north of Ktingan, have gained the upper hand. Tho Japanese in this area, attempting to prevent further Chinese attacks, destroyed the lake dykes and flooded the district, causing tremendous loss to civilians. The lake is more than 50 miles across and lies in rice-growing country between Changhsa and the Yangtse. Near the border of China and IndoCliina United States bombers during the last few days have been attacking

Japanese road, rail and river transport. Bombers and fighters devastated stocks, warehouses and storage dumps at. Laokay, 165 miles north-west of Hanoi. The attacks lasted five days. All the planes returned. DESPERATfe ENEMY (Reed. 6.80 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 01 "The Japanese, growing desperate over the continued Chinese resistance, are now trying to cause a Chinese collapse before American supplies increase," said General Wang, air attache, who, together with the United States Ambassador, Mr, Clarence E. Gauss, and Dr. Wellington Koo. Chinese Ambassador to Britain, has arrived from China by air. General Wang added: "Wo need planes, big cannon, tanks and, above all, potrol, which is a basic weapon in this war." Dr. Koo and General Wang are returning to their posts after conferences in China. Mr. Gauss will confer with the State Department.