WEST FRONT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20046, 19 September 1939, Page 7

WEST FRONT

PRESSING NAZIS ARMY OF FRANCE MORE GERMAN TROOPS RELEASE FROM POLAND SAARBUCKEN DBFENCE PLANS FOR INITIATIVE (Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept. 18. 3 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that Germany has released German divisions from Poland almost simultaneously with the Russian invasion. The French are stubbornly holding the territory gained so far. The Germans are attacking the advanced French positions in the neighbourhood of Perl.

The Paris correspondent of the New York Times states that the continued arrival of German reinforcements dominates the situation on the Western Front. French headquarters confirm the surmise that they are from Poland, describing them as aviation and large units and implying several divisions.

Recent French and German communiques have contained every indication of preparation for battle, and the arrival of new units has raised speculation concerning the German intentions. Obviously they must attempt first to halt the French progress and save Saarbrucken. which is reported to be on the point of failing. Secondly, the Germans must wrest the initiative from the French and drive them to the Maginot Line. Success would merely transfer elsewhere the fight between the two walls which has been going on for fhc last fortnight. It is recognised that the Maginot Line is stronger than the west wall.

The German counter-attacks last week were strongest in the vicinity of Perl and the Neid River, which is in the sector nearest to Luxemburg. It is remembered that German writers of last year advocated a blitzkrieg (lightning war) against France by crossing the Rhine between Basle and Schaffhausen. This is impossible at present, but it is reported from Basle that the Germans have closed the frontier, presumably concealing troop movements. Daladier’s Visi'i to Front

A Paris message states that the Premier of France, M. Daladier, after an inspection of advanced positions on German soil, said he was impressed with the small proportion of French losses. Despite the German efforts to halt the French by artillery, land mines and destruction of communications, the rapid advance continued.

The reinforcements stimulated the German morale. Captured Polish war material and German motorised units arrived and the heavy German attack jegan at dawn, 10 miles cast of the vfoselle. The French control the important highway from the Moselle .to be Saar. Basing the action on Buschiorf and Tunsdorf, the French are dvancing steadily to the north-east hreatening to isolate the Germans lolding the forts between Perl and

fettingen. The German attack is based on ..he Saarburg Forest and the Saar .liver near Orscholz. It is reported .o have struck southwards supporting a second attack west from Mcr--1 Heavy shelling of communications supported both the German actions .outhward along the Saar. The Germans were forced to the defensive .gainst the stubborn French drive deigned to reach the Neid River weights commanding Saarlautern. supporting this a strong French force .s proceeding from the main Bouz-nvi-Saarlautern highway and attackng the flank of the Germans defendng the Neid River Valley. The Paris correspondent Of the Mew York Times says that experts imply that Germany may attack elswhere than the Maginot Line, thus necessitating the violation of the neutrality of one or more States and precipitating a second world war. Clearly Switzerland rejects any conditions attached to neutrality. Germany guaranteed Belgian neutrality provided no Power used Belgian territory as a base from which to prepare an attack on Germany. Significant in this connection is Lie British information of rumours sponsored by German sources throughout Belgium of the imminent danger of British landing on the Belgian coast. Switzerland is mobilised and is watching particularly the valley of the Aar, a vulnerable route te Geneva. Belgium is also mobilised but Luxemburg is unarmed and un defended and is most nervous.