INSIDE GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 7

INSIDE GERMANY

GUERRILLA PREPARATIONS HIMMLER AND GOEBBELS EXPLAIN (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, Oct. 5. The view that there will • cut armistice with Germany, but, as the Foreign Secretary, ..... ....... Eden, foreshadowed recently in the House of Commons, guerrilla warfare after military defeat, has been strengthened by statements by Himmler and Goebbels. Personally visiting the western front at points where the Allies are inside Germany, they have set guerrilla warfare into operation. Himmler, in his newspaper, Das Schwarze Korps, said: “Preparations for waging partisan warfare in the occupied parts of Germany already appear to be far advanced. They are already beginning to lake shape in the Aachen area. It is impera< ; v° tvi '•> recommit the mistake so often made of leaving t? make-sin a far-sighted policy could have avoided in good time. It is .a up German civil administration in an occupied Germany. Even should some blackguards be found to do it, all of them, just like any other traitor or anyone else who connives with the occupation Power, will be shot.”

The article added that from the Germans’ own experience in Russia, the Balkans, Belgium, France, and even Italy, they knew an occupied country was not a contented country, and that occupied land could belong to the occupation Powers only in the parts covered by their superior weapons. “The superiority on which the enemy has been able to base his victories would fail in the face of the German guerrilla and the methods of warfare he would apply. Bombers, tanks, and artillery carry no weight against francs-tireurs—• that we know well. With each mile cf ground conquered the military task of our enemies to guard the hinterland would grow to vast proportions. Behind each street corner in the conquered territory death would lurk, and the enemy’s life would be one of long torture. There can be no German civil administration, because it would barely survive a month. Any official obeying enemy orders is certain to be found over the writing table, cold and stiff. No cne could carry out the ,l enemy’s wishes without the tomb opening behind him. No judge would be able to pass a hostile verdict against a German without being found crucified on his own window pest overnight.” Goebbels, in a speech to German industrial workers, said: “The enemy must be prepared to find a fanatical population at the front and in his rear, which will harass him without pause. German resistance will harden in a growing measure, and the people’s grenadier divisions which are now being raised will very soon make an extensive contribution to the establishment of a strong German western defence. Our victory is purely a question of holding out and gaining time until new weapens and many new divisions are ready to fight, and even take the offensive.”

Whether these promises by Himmler and Goebbels will be fulfilled to the extent they declare is a matter for speculation. Many Germans who are not Nazis are known to be tired of the war and would welcome peace, but there is every likelihood that the ardent Nazis, with everything to lose by defeat, would welcome becoming guerrillas. Additionally, it can be expected that thousands of Germans who have suffered from Allied bombing would welcome a chance of revenge. “A dirty, nasty business,” is the general opinion of the men in France who are expecting to enter; Germany with and behind the armies. Strict codes for Allied troops are being laid down, and there is to be no fraternisation at all with the Germans.