CHANGE IN COMMAND

Waikato Times, Volume 196, Issue 22568, 23 March 1945, Page 3

CHANGE IN COMMAND

VON RUNDSTEDT FAILS WORST POSSIBLE EFFECT LOYALTY SUSPECTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 23, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 22 Von Rundstedt has probably been relegated to a command in the interior. The greatest possible importance is attached to the disclosure that Kesselring has replaced von Rundstedt, says Reuter’s correspondent at 21rt Army Group Headquarters. Remarking that Hitler has changed horses in the middle of the Rhine, he says von Rundstedt's dismissal has been rumoured for months and is now finally confirmed by prisoners who declare the change was made several weeks ago. The change is likely to have the worst possible effect on the German command in the west, hut von Rundstedt is an ageing man and the situation is apparently going to pieces in his hands. , There are probably two explanations for the change. First, von Rundstedt’s loyalty to Hitler is suspect after the attempted assassina-

tion last July, while, after the failure of the Ardennes offensive, which von Rundstedt described as the Germans’ last throw, he is suspected of defeatism. Secondly, Kesselring by his conduct of the Italian campaign has gained a reputation as the Wehrmacht’s best defensive general. It is believed that the split between the General Staff and the Nazi Party is deeper than ever. The General Staff has long accepted the fact that the Reich has lost the war. Hitler, Himmler, Goebbels,

etc., have made it clear that they will never surrender. They will want to continue hostilities even after the army is defeated east of the Rhine. They want the Wehrmacht to cover their retreat while with S.S. divisions and the Gestapo they escape to the Bavarian Alps.