GERMAN ANXIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25136, 29 January 1943, Page 3

GERMAN ANXIETY

TOTAL MOBILISATION YOUTHS OF 15 CONSCRIPTED (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. The Gazette de Lausanne says that Germany has begun total mobilisation by conscripting youths from 15 to 19. The Berlin radio says that the political spokesman, Joachim Schiederdecker, quoted a German war decree dated 1679—“Wh0 deserts the colours shall hang without mercy; who in the midst of battle begins to retreat shall be put to death.” He said that these ordinances must rule the new mobilisation, which will no longer apply only to soldiers.

“ Countries, towns, and villages are immersed in misery,” he continued. “ Our homeland is spared, but we are witnessing an explosion of accumulated perils which are shaking the foundations of Europe. We not only watch the Soviet Union. We realise the energies being concentrated in Britain and America. More women tha« men enter the English war factories at the beginning of a shift. “ The total war in Germany is only a slogan for many millions, but now the headquarters command has spoken in grim language. Life is grim, and becomes even horrible when the bombers come over German cities. Total war has become a reality. He who flees, deserts, or falters must pay for it with his life. The name of Stalingrad'resounds with a ring none must ignore. No privileges exist any longer. There is no special right of profession, age or sex. Exemptions have come to an end.”

Dr Goebbels in his newspaper Das Reich said: “ National morale demands that every German man from 16 to 65 and woman from 17 to 45 shall be compulsorily mobilised for war service or war work.” He added that the war had entered its grimmest stage, and the measures about to be taken would delve deeply into German family life.