FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 7

FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK.

BELGIANS HOLD GROUND.

LONDON, May 13. A Belgian communique states: “There were lively clasues in the greater part of the positions our troops are occupying. They held their ground despite Attacks supported by aircraft. A French . counter-attack against German mechanised troops was successful and numerous tanks weie destroyed, while an attempt to cross the Albert Canal by boats was irustrated ’Planes again bombarded our rear forces and 20 German ’planes were, brought down in Belgium during the day.” . . , , A Dutch army communique states. “German troops crossed the Rivers Yssel and Maas at several points and our frontier troops withdrew to new positions without important losses. Dutch ’planes bombed German troops. French troops have been in touch with the enemy east of North Brabant. Our frontier troops in. this area withdrew according to plan. The Northern Province, which has no delences, has been entered by the Germans. “The Germans yesterday made only a few attempts to drop parachutists, and those who landed were destroyed immediately. Our artillery successfully, attacked Waal haven, and the moppingup is nearly ended in Rotterdam. In the interior the Dutch have the position fully under control.” A message from Amsterdam says the Germans dropped over 50 bombs in the vicinity of the city in haif-an-liour of raiding at 5.a.m. to-day. s>