WEST FRONT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20119, 13 December 1939, Page 5

WEST FRONT

PATROL ACTIVITY HARRASSING FIRE ARTILLERY DUELLING WAIT BY ALLIES GERMAN PREPARATIONS FEAR TO TRY PUSH (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 13, 11.50 a m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. The French official morning communique states that patrol activity was experienced at several points of the Western Front. The French press hails the news that the British are occupying part of the Maginot Line and states that the reciprocal friendship is even more apparent in 1939 than in 1914. The Allied commander-in-chief, Marshal Gamelin, has sent a message t'o the British commander, Viscount Gort, enclosing a new order issued to the French Army in which his order of October 14 warning the army to be prepared to face a general German offensive, then considered imminent, is recalled. “Their preliminary action has started, Ibut our dispositions have prevented developments,” states Marshal Gamelin. "We have since seen Germany increase her preparations, but hitherto they have not dared to launch a general offensive. Meanwhile we await the issue with increased efforts.'' A German Army communique issued in 'Berlin states that east of the Moselle “slight enemy artillery engaged in harassing fire on our advanced posts.” A Luxembourg message states that lively artillery fire was heard this morning.