UNDER MURDEROUS FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 7

UNDER MURDEROUS FIRE

GERMANS SHELLING DUNKIRK '(United Press Association—By Electric TelegraphCopyright.) Received June 1, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, May 31. The heroes from Flanders are still returning home. Those who could walk or swim dug themselves in the sand of the beach and waited for hours under a murderous aerial bombardment until the bulk of their disabled comradqs were embarked. Tlie difficulties of the evacuation increase every hour. Many of the transports have been bombed both on their outward and homeward journeys. The German artillery are now shelling Dunkirk, but the men say they are confident their comrades, still maintaining the gallant rearguard action, will get away under the screen of the Allied navies. About half the British Expeditionary Force has so far returned to England, according to the British United Press. Seven transports docked within half an hour at one reception port. The B.E.F. losses may still be high, but are much- lighter than was at first thought possible. The percentage of wounded men arriving is becoming less. FRENCH SUCCESSES. The British United Press Paris correspondent says it is officially stated that the French, in a 48-liour operation, re- . captured the Abbeville region wholly, and are mopping up the Germans. The Germans’ heavy losses include several entire motorised columns and two hundred men taken prisoner. •