IN HITLER’S EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 206, 1 September 1943, Page 5

IN HITLER’S EUROPE

“BIG DEVELOPMENTS” IMMINENT ALLIED EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ARMIES THREATEN INVASION (By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright) Recd. 9 p.m. London, Aug. 30. London is alive with reports from many quarters to the effect that the mounting crisis in Hitler’s Europe is likely to produce big developments at any moment. The Italian turmoil, the Danish revolt, and the Bulgarian unrest, coupled with reports of a great Allied army on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean ready to strike new blows, present a picture in which many developments are possible, but Italy is figuring most prominently. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Express says neutral diplom .ts in London are convinced that big- news, whic«i will be good from the Allied viewpoint, is coming from Italy in the immediate future. It is fully expected that military moves against Italy will speedily bring an announcement of capitulation.

It is stated on behalf of the Foreign Office that no information has been received substantiating the report that Italy is signing terms of capitulation but the Daily Telegraph points out that Italian capitulation must necessarily take the form in the first place of military surrender. Terms may therefore have been served on Rome, not from the Foreign Office, but from General Eisenhower’s headquarters. The United Nations radio, broadcasting to the Italians from Algiers to-night, warned that Allied aerial, naval and ground forces concentrated in the Mediterranean ready to strike against the Germans. They may land in the north and the south of the Italian peninsula and converge towards the centre. A Rome radio spokesman, broadcasting in English to-day and outlining what he described as Italy's peace and war aims, said: “We 'are still fighting plutocracy and Bolshevism. The war’s fiercest fighting has not yet begun. We shall have peace with justice next year if we make up our minds not to be intimidated.” Meanwhile the whole Axis transport system in central and south Italy is cracking under the Allied air onslaught. The latest smashing attack against Orfe brings the list of vital centres in south Italy devastated by Allied air blows to 30. It is reported from Berne that troops were again called out to-day in Milan, Turin, and Genoa to disperse crowds demonstrating against the Government for allowing Ciano to escape. Rome radio to-night announced a significant reshuffle in the Italian prefect system, including a new prefect in Rome and a general as prefect for much-bombed Foggia. The Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press, who has just returned from a fortnight’s tour- in the Middle East, says: "The eastern shore ot the Mediterranean, from Egypt to the Turkish border, hums with the activity of a great Allied army. There are many indications that these forces are ready to strike. The Germans, apparently aware of this threat, have shown apprehension by the establishment of a regular programme of flights over the eastern Mediterranean. The troops which have been drawn up on the northern border to guard against a German thrust towards the Middle East oil lines are now largely free to join in the assault on Europe. A network of aerodromes has been constructed both to supply the widespread troorrs and to provide air cover for the operations to come.”