PUSH ON WEST FRONT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 7

PUSH ON WEST FRONT

Germans Mass for Defence FALL OF SAARBRUCKEN FEARED Serious French Thrust in Siegfried Line MOSELLE CROSSED NEAR LUXEMBURG (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 15, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. An official French communique issued in Paris reports heavy action by the enemy’s heavy artillery on the heights south of Saarbrucken. This communique is interpreted to mean that the Germans have been forced to bring up big guns to offset the French threat to important positions. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press says that German reinforcements are massing behind Saarbrucken to avert its capture. It is reported that French planes arc busy bombing heavy German artillery which has been rushed to the Saar Valley to stem the French advance. Authoritative quarters in Paris are of the opinion that the Germans brought up heavy guns in the belief that the French operations were ' emerging from the stage of advance guard action and were threatening important positions in the Siegfried Line. It is reported in Brussels that French troops and tanks crossed the Moselle River, near Luxemburg, in an attack on German territory. The sound of machine-gun fire and artillery, indicating a severe battle, was clearly overheard in the nearby town of Schengen.

A Berlin communique admits that “stronger French forces than hitherto” have penetrated German territory between Saarbrucken and Hornbach. Tire German announcement added that the French advance had been stopped by gunfire and minefields.

The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press says it is officially announced that several hundred thousand British troops have landed in France unhampered either by submarine or aerial attack. The landing of the first British Expeditionary Force may be termed complete.