GREAT BATTLE RAGING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 142, 16 May 1940, Page 9

GREAT BATTLE RAGING

OFFENSIVE ALONG MEUSE GRIM FIGHT FOR SEDAN ALLIES AND NAZIS AT GRIPS (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received May 16, 9 a.m. LONDON, May 15. A French War Ministry spokesman stated to-day that a great battle is raging along the Meuse. The Germans crossed the river south from Sedan and made a salient ten miles deep, but the French counter-attacked and reduced it to five miles. The Germans also crossed the Meuse at two or three points north from Dinant, taking small bridgeheads. The situation is grave and the battle, which is developing, normally, may last for days. Later, the French Army Command reported that about half the German forces which drove across the Meuse yesterday fell back across the river to-day during violent counterattacks. It is authoritatively stated in London that the most serious fighting is at Sedan. The Germans are in possession of portion of the defensive zone around Sedan. The French held up.their advance yesterday, and to-day’s events are not known. The Maginot Line is not broken or turned, but may be dented. Sedan is not part of the Maginot Line. Heavy fighting is occurring south from Namur, which is reported to be in flames, particularly at Dinant. The Allies left flank is now resting on the bastion at Antwerp. The line runs south, covering Brussels. The Allies have made contact with the Germans. It is not known whether the heaviest attacks of the whole front from North Belgium to Namur have yet developed. GERMAN DRIYE HALTED. (Erom Daventry.) The Allies launched a terrific attack with more than 150 ’planes in the Sedan sector yesterday, enabling the land forces to launch a vigorous counter-attack against the Germans, who were halted. The assault was opened by French bombers and fighters, and caused destruction to bridges, roads, and concentrations'. A British communique states that the 8.E.F., after hard fighting, has successfully held serious German attacks. A Belgian communique records that the enemy have been seriously impeded, while a French communique reports that violent German tank attacks have been withstood m the Namur area.