Evening star., 1942-10-01
Hitler Speech Is Seen
As Hint Of One Final
Blow at Sta|ingrad
British Observer Believes
Nozi Withdrawals to Aid
RommeI Have Started
Hy the Associated Press.

ments on Germany's eastern front
today interpreted Adolf Hitler's
speech of yesterday as meaning that
the Germans would make one more
all-out attempt to take Stalingrad
and the Grozny oilfields and then
stabilize the front for the winter.
These observers, whose anonymity
Is required, expressed a belief that
Hitler already had started with
drawing troops from inactive zones
of the east to reinforce Marshal Err
win Rommel in Africa and the
forces holding Italy, France and
Norway against the prospect of an
Allied second front.
One observer said Hitler's speech
at the Berlin Sportspalast, an an
nual fixture at the start of the
German winter relief campaign,
was the closest thing to a sane
military report he has ever made.
I'm contrast to the usual rabble-
rousing talk, he gave statement
more like sober report from con-
servative military men,"
The Hitler passage which particu-
larly evoked the Interpretation of
a. reversion to a general holding
action follows:
For this year We have drafted
very simple program. First, hold in
all circumstances what must be
held; that is, let the enemy run
against us wherever we do not in
tend to advance and let him storm
as long as he wants to, hold ADAM
antly and wait to see who tires out
first. Second, absolutely attack in
all circumstances where attack is
necessary"
Gn the United States the Hit
Ter speech evoked mere ripple
of interest. Press comment ranged
from the tack taken by the
London ovservers-that Hitler
might be truly announcing win
ter policy Of general defensive
action-to the conviction that no
matter what the Fuehrer had to
say, his past performances had
established the futility of inter-
probation.
German propaganda, of course
took up the Fuehrer's themes like
the strains of symphony
Divisions Being Replaced.
Apart from supposed German
Withdrawals in inactive areas of the
eastern front, observers here be-
lieve that divisions heavily mauled
In the Stalingrad fighting also are
being replaced and withdrawn to
Germany for refitting, rebuilding
and rest, thence to be sent to
France, Norway and Italy instead
Of back to Russia.
winter conditions on the Lenin-
grad and Moscow fronts are rapidly
reaching the point where troops
can be withdrawn from these sec
tors as we'll" one source added.
Some military men stated that
the reduction of Stalingrad now
had become a matter of prestige
rather than of any great military
significance.
The. Germans have already
reached the Volga at other points.
making use of the river impossible, ~
one explained.
"Stanlingrad is under fire from
artillery and bombing, planes and
cannot be used by the Russians as
a port or manufacturing center, and
even If the Germans succeed in
driving the Red Army out, street
by street, by the time the city is
overrun it will be so battered as
to be of no use even as winter
garrison for troops"
Move on Oil Fields Seen.
The other big effort expected of
Hitler before he goes on the winter
defensive, it was said, is likely to
be an attempt to take the Grozny
oil fields in the deep Caucasus and
to establish air bases along the
Caspian Sea from which German
aviation can harass Russian ship
ping during the winter.
THE sober tone of Hitler'S state
ments and references to holding
what the Germans have leads to
a belief that they are going on
the defensive this winter. except
perhaps in Egypt, and to wait and
see where the Allies strike an
observer elaborated.
Both British and American airmen
said Hitlers reference to prospective
heavy air attacks on Britain was
'only what could be expected, as
the Luftwaffe cannot be expected to
stand by and let the Allies gather
supplies and strength on this
island"
Promises to Take Stalingrad.
Hitler told his armies and peoples
that Germany would cling to her
war gains for the coming year,
promised to take Stalingrad, and
said he and his high command were
constantly preparing for an Allied
second front wherever it might
strike.
In a striking climb-down from
his boast on a like occasion year
ago that the Russian power was
crushed never to rise again, Hitler
declared I'VE shall never capitulate
-. we shall emerge victorious. " ="
The Fuehrer spoke for one hour
and seven minutes before many of
his chief lieutenants, including Mar
shal Rommel, up from Africa as a
surprise visitor. and thousands of
his war veterans.
To bolster the home front against
greater and greater Raj raids. Hit
Ter promised them that the hour
will come when we shall strike
back"
OF the tremendous battle now
being wage for Stalingrad, Hitler
said the situation there must be
brought to a conclusion and de-
clared: "You may rest assured that
no human being will be able to
oust us from there" He called
Stalingrad key position" control
ling traffic between Central and
Southern Russia.
Broadcast to World.
In the address, broadcast to the
world by the German radio, Hitler
3 =