Hidden German Artillery

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 5

Hidden German Artillery

HEAVY FIRING ON FRENCH LINES Great Activity Of Air Force Units BRITISH TROOPS TAKE PART IN COMBAT Berlin Dismisses Fighting As Not Important (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 14, 11.30 a.m.) '" ’ LONDON, Sept. 13. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Pre,ss of Great Britain reports that German long-range artillery, hidden several miles behind the lines, to-day opened a heavy barrage - against the French'positions on the Saar River, : The enemy : guns pounded a small village in the area held by the French*; near Saarbrucken. An official French communique states that ', the enemy artillery continued to react during the night. Air- : craft on both sides showed great activity yesterday.' In the fii'st reference to Allied support, French military dispatches this afternoon stated: “A great number of well-equipped British troops are participating in the combat, , 4

A German wireless announcement at Berlin to-day admitted that the French were about three miles from Saarbrucken. The German Army communique dismisses the fighting on the French front as unimportant and claims the recapture of Birnbirg* four miles south-east of Saarbrucken. Despatches from Amsterdam confirm that the Germans are evacuating the Trier district and also the neighbourhood of Aachen.

The Basle correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that reports indicate that. one of _ the. greatest artillery duels in history began during the night in the western Moselle Valley, between the Maginot and Siegfried Lines. Swiss observers expressed the opinion that the British and French staffs are building up to an actual assault on the Siegfried Line in the near future. The correspondent of the Associated Press of- America, states that advancing during the day and eonsolidafing their gains at night while the artillery of both sides is very active all the time, the French troops continued to progress along a 12-mile line east of the Saar River. Saarbrucke.il is distinctly threatened, states the correspondent. Its capture would have amoral effect, but would not change .the situatign ,yery materially since, the main objective must remain the W,est' Wall. Troops from England are arriving in a steady stream. There is perfect unity of thought between the British and French staffs. . ....