Balkan Drive Believed Imminent

Southland Times, Issue 24368, 24 February 1941, Page 5

Balkan Drive Believed Imminent

“BLITZKRIEG” EXPERT IN COMMAND

(United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 23, 10.30 p.m.)

LONDON, February 21.

The Sofia correspondent of The Times says that Bulgaria is living nervously through the last few days of her independence. The Germans are expected any moment. In the last few days they have thrown several pontoon bridges across the Danube and lifted them again, obviously carrying out exercises. The Germans have openly occupied almost all the villas and country houses around Sofia, in which there are many German military cars driven by youths in mufti, which everybody knows they will soon change for uniforms. Newspapers, attempting to calm the public, are declaring that the passage of German troops does not involve Bulgaria in war. This, at least, seems to be the Government’s hope.

The Daily Telegraph’s Sofia correspondent states that General List has arrived from Rumania to direct operations. General List is regarded as a “blitzkrieg” expert, and is notorious for his ruthless methods. He has been in command in Rumania for a month. Extraordinary scenes in Parliament in Sofia, indicating nervousness and mistrust of the Government, occurred when many deputies accused the Government of not informing the people of developments when they were generally known.