Attack on 20 Mile Front

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 76, 18 October 1939, Page 5

Attack on 20 Mile Front

GERMAN ARMY ACTIVELY ENGAGED FRENCH STILL HOLD INITIATIVE A vigorous enemy attack east of the Moselle was pushed forward yesterday on a twenty-mile front, reports a Paris communique. Regardless of losses the German masses pushed on, ana gained the first French line, from which the defenders retired to already prepared support lines, leaving their original posi tions heavily mined. The explosions of these inflicted further losses upon the German troops who were driven back by the French counter offensive. The German losses are esti-

mated to have been 1000 men and over 20 tanks. Experts are now speculating as to whether the attack was the forerunner of a major offensive, for which marked activity has been observed behind the Siegfried Line dur ing the past few days. The Allied Command is satisfied that it can successfully withstand all onslaughts likely to be made. From Berlin, it is reported that serious differences have arisen between the German general staff, with whom Herr Hitler continues to hold endless conferences. An unconfirmed report states that Hitler has sent a special Courier to Stalin, and is awaiting a reply, which will largely decide his course of action in the near future.