INVASION DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 5

INVASION DEFENCE

ROMMEL DEPOSED? DISAGREED WITH RUNDSTEDT (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, June 13. An interesting question is raised by the Evening Standard’s correspondent writing from Twenty-first Army Group Headquarters, It is whether von Rundstedt and Rommel, who were known to have different views for the planning of the defence against invasion, have disagreed, and whether Rommel has been deposed. “It is believed that Rommel is ‘ out,’ ” says the correspondent. “No definite news has reached this headquarters since the invasion began, but all the pointers are that he is not in command.” The correspondent says that von Rundstedt, who is in supreme command, based his plans on the belief that nothing could prevent the Allies landing in force. His policy, therefore, was to cut down on the coastal defences and to dispose the mass of his men and materials for a quick, crushing counter-blow. Rommel, who is Hitler’s inspector-general of defences, however, declared that the battle must be fought on the blaches. that the invaders must be given a murderous reception and thrown into confusion, then the reserves wouid come up and hurl them back into the sea.

Reliance on Coast Defences

It is now known that when Rommel was in ; Normandy shortly before the invasion he moved forward into the coastal defence zone troops that von Rundstedt had posted some distance behind the front line. He was confident that by strengthening the coastal defences he could make the so costly that the invaders would be thrown back in confusion, men he would bring up his panzers. This is exactly how General Montgomery anticipated Rommel would try to fight the battle.”

General Montgomery, on D-Day, said, the correspondent discloses: “Rommel is too impulsive for a set piece type of battle. I think his forte is disruption i would say he will aim at defeating us on the beaches.” The correspondent continues: “ General Montgomery defeated Rommel in North Africa because he was always able to see into his mind gnd discern what he would do next. He again defeated Rommel because once more he has been a jump of his old adversary.” The military correspondent of The Times, while not commenting on this Wm y ’ i say j the characteristics of the nersonnl le nr erS sre5 re - of - far more than personal or academic interest. Many .chains in military history nJJjwed 3 i n estl , mation of their opponents to play a large part in their str-i----tegic tactics. The German verdict on v ° n Rundstedt, he continues, is almost less £nf V °V, rabl f’ Tllou £h he may be ?Cf s . brilliantly clever chan von Leeb he is the best all-round German comMnnv er ’ hnoudedgeable, reliable, calm, canny, practical, and resolute. Prominent Anti-Nazi TwJoal Vesting point about von Rundstedt is that he is regarded in lyr c ar my as the most prominent antiNazi among the senior officers, and y?.c one who might possibly attempt to throw Hitler out. At the same time he is believed to have come to the conclusion at least two years ago that the defeat of Germany was inevitable.

The correspondent adds that von Rundstedt s situation is truly difficult. Be detests Nazidom and wants to save his caste and his army from destruction; but. first, he is surrounded by Nazis doubtless detailed to watch himsecondly, he is a patriotic man. On the other hand. Rommel is the subject of violent controversy. He is generally described* as restless, difficult, capricious, and apt to change his mind. He is overbearing and unpopular with his officers, though there is no question of his hold upon the troops in general. He possesses a reputation of displaying terrific driving power and keenness. He is a master of tactics and of deception, and he makes the fullest use of opportunities; but. on the other hand, what he does not know and does not think for himself has no existence. Also, if he bluffs once successfully he thinks a similar bluff will succeed half a dozen times. It has been noted that he ha<= always been a difficult colleague, and that he and von Kesselring were constantly at loggerheads in Africa. If the theory is correct that Rommel is out, then it may provide an important background to the trend of events.