The Wanganui Chronicle. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1942. GERMANY OCCUPIES FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 268, 13 November 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1942. GERMANY OCCUPIES FRANCE

r pilE failure of Rommel in North Africa and the successful operations of the Americans in North-west Africa have changed conditions in the Mediterranean area to the advantage of the United Nations, and to the disadvantage of the Axis. Hitler has consequently moved to reduce these disadvantages by taking control of the whole of France and also part of the Italian coastal region and the island of Corsica.

The action initiated by Hitler dispels all pretence that the Vichy regime was in any, sense a French Government. The French people are no longer in honour bound by the terms of the Armistice agreement which Petain asked for and obtained. The French fleet is under obligation to answer to no one but its own commander, and it is to be expected that it will join the forces of America and Britain in the Mediterranean. This gives to the Allies dominance in this inland sea and therefore over southern Europe,

Hitler’s move into Unoccupied France is obviously dictated by necessity; but it is a move which he has long sought to avoid. While Vichy maintained its neutrality a barrier which cost him nothing was provided against Allied action from Genoa to the Pyrenees. With the barrier dissolved his task has been enlarged: he is now compelled to provide further garrisons in an excessively hostile country. The increased garrisons will probably weaken his hold generally on Western Europe, because he has not to'o many divisions which are not now fulfilling an active war role. His troops in Belgium, France and Holland are comprised in large proportion of elderly men and youths, and if it be true that the garrisons for the new zone are to be drawn from these countries, then Hitler has already been compelled to practise economy in respect to garrisons. It is therefore conceivably true that hi's reported decision not to occupy the whole of Italy as well was due to the inadequacy of his strength to undertake the task.

By using the port of Marseilles, Hitler will be able to launch submarines into the Mediterranean with greater ease than from Trieste, and they may conceivably do a great deal of damage in the Mediterranean, but his chief concern from now on will, be to counter Allied air activity based on North Africa against Sicily and Southern Italy. His occupation of the South of France will in no way assist him to fend off these attacks against the extremities of Axis territory.