Evening star., 1942-11-11
Nazi High Command
Reported Fearful Of
Early Italian Collapse
Hitler Expected to Act
To Strengthen His
Position in BuIkuns

Position in Balkans
Special Cable to The Star and Chicago
Daily News.
LONDON, Nov. 1.-THE. most re-
liable reports reaching here indi-
cate the German high command
is actively discussing the possibility
Of early italian collapse. The situa-
tian as seen by Berlin l. so serio'ls
and imminent it demands an instant
decision as to whether the Germans
should undertake military occupa-
tion of the whole country. 1t is
believed they have concluded that
they do not have sufficient troops
available.
It is observable that italian
broadcasters are now quoting Prime
Minister Churchill and exhorting
the people to fight ION the beaches,
Landing grounds, IN the streets and
on the hills"
The Germans know Senator Con-
nally of Texas is speaking the truth
when he says Tunisia will become
the jumping off ground for at
tacks against Italy. Undoubtedly
the Italians feel the gravest anxiety
for the safety of Sardinia and Sicily,
also knowing that the latter's popu-
lation is greatly disaffected.
Some qualified observers here be-
lieve that an Italian collapse is COM
ing within three weeks. The total
apathy and bitterest feelings against
the Germans have been character
istic of the Italians for many past
months. Now it is realized that
Italy must lose every possession
she every had in Africa while her
troops are callously abandoned to
their fate by whole divisions by
German orders for the Libyan re-
treat.
Denuded Of Food and Materials.
Italy herself for a long time past
has been denuded of all foods and
materials by the Germans and is
now receiving the first taste of the
devastating Anglo American air
power, including the latest terrible
fire bombs. It is noteworthy that
North African Commander in Chief
1t. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower has
provided for heavier air support in
North Africa than was ever con-
sidered essential by the British.
Hitler is now faced with the
gravest decisions, and to meet the
new threats he is compelled to with
draw an important number of divi-
sions from the Russian front.
Moreover, it is calculated that
Allied strategy does not allow him
q static winter for recoupment of
his eastern front armies.
The German submarine menace
is not underestimated by the Allies
staffs, but it is believed that Hitler
badly miscalculated Anglo-Ameri-
can shipbuilding abilities, both mer-
chant and naval. The Axis evil
IDENTIFY was astounded by the size
of the fleet assembled for the Afri-
can expedition. 1t can be stated
that this fleet will be available
throughout the winter for their
operations, according to Allied Of
fensive plans. Britain's food is fully
assured independently.
May Strengthen Balkan Position.
Had the blow by Middle Eastern
Commander Gen. Sir Harold R. L.
G.. Alexander been less decisive or
Gen. Eisenhower's operation been
held up it is conceivable that Hit
Ter might have attempted to check
the Western Mediterrean rout by
a march through Spain, but that is
now most unlikely. It is now more
probable that he will concentrate on
strengthening the Balkan position.
The possibility OF suicidal
nuisance air-borne attack against
the Nile has been envisaged, but
with the present decentralization of
Italy it is unthinkable that Hitler
could muster surface fleet to fell
low up weightily, and Air Vice
Marshal A. w. Tedder has ample
fighters in Egypt to check an air
borne attempt. Held in Russia on
the Volga and in the Caucasus, Hit
Ter is unable to reach Turkeys back
door or to enter Iran. Thus, unable
to envelop the lilies, Hitler on the
contrary is facing imminent danger
from his open flank on the Adriatic.
The embarrassment Hitler is al
ready suffering at the hands of
Gen. Draga Mihailovitch's Yugoslav
patriots could increase greatly.
Therefore it seems important to
watch out closely for German troop
moves from Russia to Greece and
Yugoslavia. Such troops cannot be
drawn from Western Europe, for
Hitler knows Britain is still bristling
with fully trained and equipped
troops, and another surprise like
Eisenhower's North Africa move
may threaten him elsewhere on his
2,000-mile western front.
Commenting on Gen. Alexander's
campaign, it is wished to note the
warm British appreciation of Roose-
velt's generous references to the
equipment employed by the 9th
Army. British confidence concern
ing the total defeat of the frika
Korps is largely based on reports
that Marshal Erwin Rommel has
drained out his petrol, not even hav-
in: sufficient for the destruction of
his own abandoned vehicles.