PUSH FOR SAAR BASIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 7 September 1939, Page 5

PUSH FOR SAAR BASIN

Artillery Covering Troops ELIMINATING BLOCKHOUSES i 1 : 1 : , MASSIVE FORCES PROCEEDING m : iiw : ' " L " ■ ■■■ : Contacts In Burgundy Gate Area (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 7, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 6. Paris reports states that the French attacks Inst night concentrated on the north-east frontier near the Saa basin. . The Paris newspaper Midi states that Allied aeroplanes heavily bombed the Rhineland industrial centres, mainly around Aix la Chapelle, otherwise Aachen. The Midi adds that a despatch from Brussels states that Eschweiller, near Aix la Chapelle, suffered heavily in the raids. Further unofficial despatches ■report that a French tank advance is being made towards Saarbrucken and that raids were made by 300 Allied aeroplanes in the Rhineland. To-day’s communique in Paris, the first to claim gains, contrasted with previous reports of mere local successes which are interpreted to mean that the infantry, covered by artillery, had eliminated outlying blockhouses at several points. While there was no indication of a large-scale offensive, it was , apparent that the French were gradually increasing the pressure. There was evidence of increased activity. Enemy aircraft were seen at various sectors. Le Havre had two alarms in daylight, being the farthest west penetration by German scouting planes. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that the left wing of the French Army lias increased the pressure on the German northern flank along a front of 100 miles. A French army communique states: “Our troops are in contact everywhere along the frontier between the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers.” It is recalled that the permanent fortification of the border of the Rhine “is here and there.” The main attack was southward at the “Burgundy Gate” where the artillery barrage was concentrated. The Paris correspondent of the New York Times states that the surmise, which is fully warranted, is that the long and relatively narrow tract between the Maginot Line and the west wall lias already become a sort of No Man’s Land, pounded with shells of all calibres from both sides. It is believed that the Germans are meeting with such resistance in Poland that they would be compelled henceforth to act methodically. The main armies oil both fronts arc hot likely to come to grips for some time. The Paris correspondent of The Times says it is pointed out in Paris that if official information so far is vague, it must be remembered that both sides are based on heavilyfortified positions, unlike the conditions of 1914 when the war -began as a manoeuvre movement in comparatively open country. .However, massive French land forces are proceeding with smoothness matching the general mobilisation of the French Air Force and French Navy, which'arc simultaneously active, each in their own fashion.'