FRENCH THRUST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 11 September 1939, Page 5

FRENCH THRUST

AID OF BRITISH UNITS Counter-Offensives Forced DIVERSION OF MEN FROM POLAND i GERMANS MAKING BID IN SAAR AREA (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 11, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 10. The Paris paper Midi says that the French offensive has forced the occupants of the German West Wall to undertake counter-offensives, using shock troops stationed behind the lines, and infantry action preceded by a barrage.. A Paris communique states that the German counter-attacks at numerous points were broken up during the night. The situation was unchanged. Air activity was normal. It is stated that a British division participated in the attack on the Western Front, resulting in the capture of important positions. k-

The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that at the end of the first week of war, the French troops' hold approximately 200 square miles of German territory, including 20 square miles of the Warndt Forest, west of Forbach.

The conquest can be regarded as-incidental, the - main results of the operations being the diversion of German troops from Poland and the clearing of positions to enable a French assault on the main line of the West Wall. It is not regarded as an outstanding French victory, but a preliminary to increasingly difficult operations.

The Paris correspondent of the United Press of America says that it is reliably reported that the French forces'have surrounded Saarbracken and are pressing forward. Military observers in Paris state that the Warndt Forest- covers one of the richest coal deposits in the Saar. A communique issued by the French Command stated that the French found much destruction in the Warndt Forest and all sorts of traps. Despite the local counter-attacks by the enemy, the French forces captures important heights. The German artillery was most active in attempting to stem the advance. Destruction of Saar Bridges.

The Germans are believed to he making a serious stand aefoss the Saar River. All bridges have been blown up. German bombers made attacks, but were fought the danger of air attack. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the French; tanks and infantry are reported to have reached the Saar River on the left in a flanking attack against the Siegfried line.

It is officially announced in Berlin that one British and three French scouters were shot down. Another French machine was forced down near a German aerodrome and three officers were captured.

The British United Press yesterday reported that it could be revealed that the French High Command made a double thrust during the first operations of the war. They struck at a point near the junction of the French, German-Swiss frontiers near Belgort, simultaneously smashing into Germany through the Saar. If Neunkirchen falls the French will acquire a valuable rail junctioYi. The capture of Saarbrucken is now reported to be in process. Its encirclement would open the way to the Valley of the Rhine via ITomberg and Kaiserslautern. Before the outbreak of 'the war it was impossible for the French to obtain a clear picture of the Siegfried Line. Since the war French planes have been continuously flying over the line photographing it from all angles. 'These now have been pieced together into a detailed plan of the German, defences. , ■' ' ' * .