STREET FIGHTING

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

STREET FIGHTING

POSITION IN AMSTERDAM. DUTCH PRECAUTIONS. Received May 13. 10.50 a.m, BRUSSELS, May 12. The Belgian forces, counter-attack-ing this morning, forced the Germans to retire in the direction of Hasselt. A Berlin communique states that, the passage of the Albert Canal was forced between Hasselt and Maastricht. After some street fighting the authorities at Amsterdam seemed to -have the situation under control. All the important buildings are now heavily guarded and everyone seeking- to enter is covered with a revolver until he establishes his identity. Hundreds suspected of being members of the “fifth column” . have been arrested. The police shot a man who was signalling enemy ’planes. In Brussels Several Communist Senators and Deputies have been arrested. More than forty German ’planes were brought down in Belgian territory yesterday. The radio has appealed to owners to hand over their cars to the city authorities for transporting the refugees who are pouring ill from Eastern Belgium. The Argentine Minister to the Netherlands (Senor Carlos Brebbia) lias reported that a powerful bomb struck the Argentine Legation at The Hague and also damaged the French and Brazilian Legations, states a Buenos Aires message. President Ortiz, following the United States’s lead, lias ordered the freezing of Belgian, Netherlands and Luxembourg credits wherever there is a possibility of later -complications if payments arc made to -the wrong party. . . . The German .wireless, stations on Friday denied that German troops landing by parachute in Holland wore Dutch uniforms, states the British Official Wireless. Since then it has been confirmed that German parachutists have landed wearing Dutch, Belgian and French uniforms and are continuing to do so. . . , -if This ruse, which is a violation! -of The .Hague rules, was condemned by the Germans themselves in their official work o.n the usages of war. CRASH IN ANTWERP.

Thirty people were killed near Antwerp as a result of a German bomber crashing. The Germans are reported to have bombed llenaix, Louvain and Venders. Military objectives were not hit, but civilian casualties were numerous. German parachutists have landed at Vilvorde. near the Evere aerodrome. Several were shot and the others were rounded up. Brussels reports that rationing has been introduced for bread, coffee, potatoes and soap. Refugees from the frontier regions are pouring into Brussels. where normal life continues. One of the German wireless stations brings to The microphone every halfhour an alleged Belgian war prisoner, sometimes a Flemish Nationalist, who urges Belgian listeners against resistance. . ■ ■ : A military spokesman u. Paris emphasised that, while there was no doubt of the ultimate victory of tile Allies, ill-balanced optimism should not be entertained. “We are entering the greatest battle in history and must be prepared for anything.”