PINCERS DRIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24792, 17 December 1941, Page 7

PINCERS DRIVE

NAZIS' NEXT MOVE CONTROL OF NORTH AFRICA DESCENT ON TURKEY LIKELY LONDON, (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) Dec. 16. With the Germans fighting on the defensive in Russia, the question where Hitler's next blow will fall is being widely discussed. It is widely believed that his.most likely move, will be an ambitious Mediterranean assault aimed at the elimination of the Mediterranean Fleet and domination of North Africa, including Egypt. Commentators already detect the opening moves of such a campaign, including an attempt to stabilise the Russian front and Bulgaria's entry into the war, which constitutes a renewed threat to Turkey. Istanbul is buzzing with rumours that the Germans are taking over the Bulgarian airfields,, while competent Turkish observers believe that January will see the Germans massed in the Balkans ready for a descent on Turkey Newspaper correspondents in Istanbul declare that there is no room for doubt that Germany will compel Bulgaria to fight. In addition, there has been intensification of the Nazi pressure on, Spain and the bludgeoning of Vichy, which clearly has one objective, namely, complete co-operation of France in Hitler's new order, coupled with the handing over of the French Fleet. The belief prevails that the Germans contemplate a vast pincers drive, with the left arm advancing through Turkey and the right arm through Spain, for which Hitler would need Spanish and Portuguese North African bases, while the French Fleet would be employed in convoying troops, supplies, and war materials. Should the Germans enter the peninsula the Portuguese Premier, Dr Salazar, would declare Portuguese neutrality, and the Government would move to the Azores.