Evening star., 1940-07-31
Italian Forces
Ready 10 Aid Nazis
In Attack on Isles
Troops and Planes Are on
Channel and North Sea
Coast, 1t Is Revealed


italian troops and planes are stand
ing ready in North Sea and English
Channel bases to aid German legions
In the long promised frontal attack
against England, it was disclosed
today.
Italians in Switzerland confirmed
diplomatic reports that Adolf Hit
Ter had granted a specific request
from Benito Mussolini that his
Fascist troops be permitted to share
in the attempt to invade Britain.
The Fuehrer agreed, the reports
said, after a conference with his
military staff, although he limited
italian Army participation to
token" land and parachute troops.
In the matter of planes, however,
Hitler asked for many squadrons,
and these have been flown to bases
in the German-occupied sections
of France along the Bay of Biscay
and in Brittany loaded with italian
parachute troops trained by the
Germans.
Troops Sent Through Brenner.
Other land units, composed of
troops who have seen service in
Ethiopia and Spain and drawn from
eastern Italian garrisons. have been
sent through the Brenner Pass to
North Sea channel ports farther
north.
Italian sources, like the German,
reported the long-planned big often
sive against England was i'm
minent." Nevertheless many for
eign observers believed the axis
partners might only be turning on
1heir familiar terror machine full
blast and that the attempted inva-
sion, if it comes, still may be sev-
eral weeks away.
Those who believed the reports
that the apparent last-minute prep
arations we're the real thing pointed
out to improving weather all over
Western Europe, presaging ideal Al
gust conditions for an air offensive.
The italian reports said Premier
Mussolini was convinced the COM
bined air power of the axis would
win an easy victory over Britain
and was anxious to have the Italian
colors side by side with his German
ally.
Spain May Join Drive.
There were indications, too, that
Spain might join in the "all OUT
offensive.
German and Italian travellers
from Spain said Generalissimo
Francisco Frances government ap-
peared to be preparing to try to
capture Gibraltar, famed fortress
rock guarding the western entrance
to the Mediterranean. long coveted
by Spain Spain and Britain are not
yet at war, however.
Troops in small boats carrying
artillery we're reported concentrated
near Linea, Spanish port just behind
Gibraltar, and reports from France
said Italy was concentrating bomb
ing planes at her Sandman bases for
an air attack against "the Rock"
Such an attack presumably would
he co-ordinated with a big smash
against England Isolated attacks
against the historic stronghold have
been occurring regularly. Five per-
sons were reported killed and Is
wounded in raid on Gibraltar by
enemy bombers-presumab Italian
yesterday afternoon.
Pocket Subs Shipped.
italy was reported to have COM
pleted the task of moving many of
her pocket" submarines by rail
through the Brenner Pass into Ger
many. These 36-foot craft were
shipped in sections on fiat cars, and
presumably would be important as
protecting arm in any German
onslaught against Britain.
Germany last night closed all rail
and road frontier posts on the Swiss
frontier except one, apparently to
keep secret troop movements through
Southern Germany Only the post
at Saint Margarethen in Austria was
left open and even persons travel
ing on diplomatic passports were
compelled to pass there.
1t was pointed out here that by
forcing all travellers to Germany to
go around through Austria the Nazis
could keep secret westward rush
OF men and materials.