LARGE-SCALE GERMAN TROOP MOVEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 255, 28 October 1939, Page 7

LARGE-SCALE GERMAN TROOP MOVEMENTS

NORTH SEA COASTAL AREA TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS CUT IN ORDER TO HIDE PLANS BIG CONCENTRATIONS'ALSO NEAR FRANCO-SWISS BORDER [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright J Received Get. 27. H>.5 p.m. LGXDGX. (let. 27. Reuter s Paris correspondent says that an interruption of the telephone communications between German and neutral countries apparently was an attempt to hide big troop movements. The Dutch report that the Germans are heavily massing materials, troops and planes in the North Sea coastal districts from Emden to the mouth of the Elbe. Switzerland also was cut off by telephone, and Zurich reports big concentrations near the Franco-Swiss border. King Leopold, broadcasting to America from Brussels, declared that neutrality was vital to Belgitr . ”Peace is a matter of life and death for us.” he said, ‘•because if we became involved it would be on our soil that the war will be fought out, regardless of the issue, and meaning our destruction.” He added: "In 1914 our army did its best to arrest the progress of a cruel invasion. If we are attacked again to-day, we will not hesitate to fight with the same conviction, but ten times stronger. Hut »<■ cannot believe that any belligerent will disregard our neut raid y Charles .Moriee. writing in the Petit Parisi.m. says; "Everything suggests that this is the eve of Hitler's big offensive. Seventy-five to St) German divisions are massed in Rhineland, shock troops are in position, tanks and anti-tank weapons are ready behind the front line, ami aviation concentrations have been completed. The German general staff evidently have given a last-minute overhaul t.» the formidable war machine at. General von Braucliitsch's disposal. Headquarters are installed in the small town where .Mr. Chamberlain met Herr Hitler last vear 'presumably Godesburg . It is reliably stated that Germanv has coneentrated 32 divisions in the region of Pirmasens, 18 near the Dutch frontier, and four army corps, each of three divisions, face Switzerland between Basle and Lake Constance. Three others are installed from Austrian territory between Lake Constance and the junction of the Italo-Swiss frontiers.