DAUNTLESS DEFENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 139, 13 May 1940, Page 7

DAUNTLESS DEFENCE

BRAVERY OF BELGIANS. OFFICER’S SELF-IMMOLATION; Received-May 13, 11.45 a.m. LONDON, May 12. In his statement, the Belgian Premier (M. Pierlot) said: “The enemy are unable to penetrate our territory at any point on a considerable scale. Our. thorough demolitions checked the German advance crossing of the Albert Canal due to their failure to blow, up two bridges. “The death of the officer in charge of the operations caused delay, enabling the enemy to occupy bridges and cross them with motorised forces. Another officer later penetrated the German lines, reached the powder chambers, and blew himself up with a bridge. “The Germans attacked across another bridge with an enormous mass of tanks and aircraft. The Belgians withdrew to Tongres. '“Our eastern defences along the Albert Canal are still intact. The Belgians withdrew according to plan for various points eastward of the Meuse. “French motorised troops attacked the enemy in Luxembourg, which is partly in enemy possession. Near Brussels and elsewhere the enemy has dropped parachutists. We are actively hunting them down. The Allies are advancing satisfactorily.” M. Pierlot denied that the Government iutended leaving the capital. BELGIAN STRENGTH. GREATER THAN IN 1914. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 11. News from Belgium indicates the magnificent S2>irit in which the Belgian people and their gallant troops are meeting the second German invasion in thirty years. Although the initial advantage is always with the invading force, Germany is facing a much stiffer proposition than in August, 1914. The Belgian military position is now much stronger. The actual mobilisation figure for the field army in 1914 was 117,000, while in the present year it is certain that between 600,000 and 700,000 men are mobilised. . The defence expenditure in 1914 amounted to only 'loo 000.000 francs, against'' 1,049.000 000 francs in 1938: to which must be added 500 000-000 francs for fortifications spread over In the matter of supoort the Belgians are also better off, because, although the Germans have once more seized the military advantage from the Allies bv attacking neutral Belgium without provocation or warning, the British and French forces are tl s time able to move instantly to the help of the Bel emu army since they have been established for many months on the defensive awaiting the first German blow in the west, wherever it "S&Sfc to a Press At.ocjation message from -Brussels a divides Belgium into army terior zones. The army zone includes the provinces of Limbou g. Luxembourg and Namur, also several districts of Brabant- The .remaining part, of the country interior zone. Inc ucc • + i l ° t i ie divides the country in half nith army zone eastward.