Evening star., 1945-01-04
Resistance by Nazis
Believed Possible
For Many Months
BY THOMAS F. HAWKINS,
Press Foreign Correspondent


Associated Press Foreign Correspondent.
BERN, Jan. Authorization from
inside Germany, discounting Nazi
propaganda, indicates that German
armies, equipped with a series of
new weapons, must be reckoned a
fighting force capable of continued
effective resistance-perhaps for
many months
Moreover, the Nazis apparently
believe they still can win the war by
taking advantage of Allied mistakes
and difficulties.
Reports dealing with the German
military situation and use of secret
weapons coming from half dozen
independent sources in the Reich
stress these factors:
While fuke might end the war
tomorrow. or new Allied offensive
might quickly smash massing Nazi
forces, it appears % That the Ger
mans have sufficient gasoline to
carry out their present battle plan;
CD New secret weapons are being
turned out steadily in underground
factories, and 80 Troop reinforce
ments are still available in large
quantity.
Gas Stores Underestimated.
| 1t is difficult to determine the
degree these informants have un-
| consciously absorbed Nazi propa-
ganda, but they are in a position to
be well informed and have, proved
reliable in the past. T..
Observers in Berlin are convinced
the Nazis had far greater under
ground stores of gasoline than the
Allies believed. Synthetic gasoline
is still being manufactured, and the
Germans need far less fuel for their
operations than in the days when
the Luftwaffe went out steadily.
One German said of the Luftwaffe,
I'VE now 60 into action only after
good scouting and intelligence re-
ports indicate it will be worth while" 4"
These informants believe firmly
that "V-weapons." being turned out
in underground factories in Czecho-
slovakia as we'll as in the Reich.
now number up to TO- They say
new airplane, ready for use, is shot
from the ground like a rocket.
New Plane Described.
Carrying a crew. it switches to
gasoline until approaching the tar
get. Then the plane can use COM
pressed air to permit silent swoop.
After leaving the target and launch
ing its one torpedo, it can switch
back to gasoline and land normally.
The plane is said to mount two
cannons and has cruising range
of about 1000 miles.
Berlin declares a new portable
rocket machine, strapped to one
man and firing effectively over a
400-yard range. was used in the Won
Rundstedt offensive.
Meanwhile, the Nazis are STUDYING
constantly Allied propaganda, mill
tary policy and political maneuver-
ing, especially in Greece, Belgium
and France. This course is being
pursued by Germans who believe
they can yet win a worthwhile bar
gain by fighting on.
While the truth is difficult to dis
tinguish second hand by any re-
porter, this is what German
friends who have been on the spot
say:
The Nazis believe the political
upheavals in Greece and Belgium
and the still uncertain political
situation in France have done
much to convince the Germans
their best chance is to keep fight
ing, and that as the Allies involve
themselves in more pickering a
compromise will become more well
come.
These sources say the Germans
who might be tempted to revolt or
offer passive resistance are dis
heartened by Allied propaganda,
because they are able to check and
find errors. Consequently, they
hesitate to accept that which is
correct.
AS an example, one informant said
that on one day 300 Allied planes
bombed and heavily damaged fac
tory outside Berlin. The Allied radio
subsequently claimed the factory
was put out of business.
"Out of business?" queried Ger.
man employees. "It has been six
months underground. The bombing
accomplished nothing"
These non-G German informants be-
[lieYe Germany will be heater, h,,t