GERMAN CITIES IN THE WEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20061, 6 October 1939, Page 11

GERMAN CITIES IN THE WEST

EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS NAZI MOTORISED COLUMNS ASSEMBLE AMBUSHES AT VARIOUS POINTS MASSED ARMIES AWAITING ACTION v—(Elce. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oet. 5, 3 p.m.) LONDON, October 4. A night communique issued in Paris states that there were patrols and ambushes at various points ot the Western Front. An enemy raid south ol Pirmasens was repulsed. Intermittent artillery exchanges continued along > the whole front; otherwise conditions were comparatively quiet. Heavy rain impeded operations in the Moselle and Saar regions. Low-lying clouds brought air activity to a standstill. Semi-official sources in Paris declare that the French guns are dominating the German cities ot Berg'zabern, Pirmasens, Zweibrucken, Saarbrucken, Saarloius, and Mcrzig in the Saar and Palatinate area, from which civilians have been evacuated. Troops are skirmishing in this vicinity. German motorised divisions are reported to have been collected at Munich, Ulm, Frankfurt and Hanover ready to move up to the west.

The Paris correspondent of the New York Times says that, barring surprises diplomatically,.because militarily they seem well-nigh impossible, the situation seems well defined All the available forces on either side are concentrated waiting tor action. The question is who will make the. first move. The initiative in a general battle by the Allied side. is-improbable, because it would be considered a rash offensive.. Tactical initiative fully answers the present purpose, since it has .enabled the Allies to come to within easy striking distance ot the West. Wall and at the same time place the greater part of the Maginot Line out of the range of the German guns. The Germans may decide that they have ceded enough ground and launch a massive frontal assault with fresh troops on what they judge the weakest spot of the French lines in order to recapture all the lost, positions in one swoop after Iho 1915-1917 pattern.

The Prime Minister of Poland, General Sikorski, said in Paris to-day: “My Government’s essential task is to form without delay, an army which will continue the fight.” The Premier of France, M. Daladier, signed an agreement reconstituting the Czech, Army in France.