HITLER’S WESTERN DRIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 141, 15 May 1940, Page 6

HITLER’S WESTERN DRIVE.

Hiti/ek’s lightning war is raging from North Holland to the Belgian Ardennes, with less intense manifestations in other sectors. That is the crux of the news of the tremendous battle now in progress in the Low Countries. From their sudden and violent attack upon Holland and Belgium there had to be some measure of gain for the ruthless invaders. So sharp has it been that the Dutch have been compelled to cease fighting as their country is practically wholly in Nazi hands. The Germans early claimed to occupy the provinces of Northern Holland but the defences there, as well as in North Brabant, were not regarded as serious, but a quick drive across the last named province brought them to Dordrecht, just south of Rotterdam. The situation quickly developed in an alarming manner and, with Rotterdam’s fate sealed, the Dutch have ceased fire. Iu Belgium the enemy are reported to have reached the Meuse from Liege to Namur, both fortified towns, and bitter fighting has been taking place around Dinant, and also in Sedan and Longwy (France) near the Luxembourg border. It has been part of the Belgian and Dutch strategy to withdraw to the main lines of defence soxne distance from the German frontier and the British and French forces have been helping in this manoeuvre. The Dutch, however, have not been able to overcome the lightning war at their waterline and Hitler’s immediate drive to the sea from Rotterdam to Zeebrugge has gathered strength. It it far too early in the battle yet to gain any cleai' picture of the fighting as a whole. Necessarily a great deal of silence must be maintained by the Allied Command, and the time is one for restrained optimism, for the weeks ahead are a great testing period requiring fortitude and patience throughout the Empire and allied countries .