SINCE THE INVASION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 8

SINCE THE INVASION.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS. The following is a day-by-day resume of the chief events on the battle front since the German forces commenced their invasion of the Low Countries: Way 10. —German land and air forces invaded Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. May 12. —Germans launch a mass attack between Forbach and the Vosges mountains, as a part of a triple offensive against the West. Belgians withdraw to second-lino positions when Germans advance across bridges on Albert Canal. Parachute troops landed near Brussels and elsewhere. Street fighting starts .in Amsterdam. New British War Cabinet formed, with Mr Churchill as Premier. May 13. —Advance forces of British Expeditionary Force com© in contact with enemy. “Fifth Column” members were most active in Low Countries. British bombers attack the Waalhavcn (Rotterdam) aerodrome, then in enemy hands. German advance slowed down, but it later reported that - French had withdrawn to the Meuse; heavy losses in Belgium; Butch Government arrives in Britain. . . .

May 14. —Dutch troops in Rotterdam and Utrecht areas ordered to cease fire. German motorised column carries out lightning drive south-east of Rotterdam. Germans penetrate southern Holland. Germans enter Sedan,. frontier fort on Meuse. German plan revealed : To throw in all their arms on 100-mile front from Albert Canal to the Longwy mining basin, to break the Belgian resistance before a strong liaison was formed with British and French forces. May 15. —Attack and counter attack sways at Sedan the Germans making a breach. Germans cross the Meuse at two or three points north of Dinant. Allies’ left flank rests at Antwerp and covers Brussels. German drive establishes a Ushaped front between. Albert Canal and Longwy. The Netherlands virtually surrenders. Nazis advancing on Brussels. May 16. —Germans driven from Louvain. From Namur to Sedan open warfare raging. May 17. —Germans capture Sedan. There is a bulge instead of a dent in the Maginot'Linc.

May 19—The British Army open to danger of flank attack following German thrust between Namur and Sedan, and lines accordingly withdrawn to behind Brussels. In the extreme north British, French and Belgian forces conduct strategic retreat. General Weygand appointed to Chief of General Staff and Com-mander-in-Chief of Allied Forces. May 20. —German push westward ol Cambrai continues. Bulge between Sedan and Maugeuge widens. St. Quentin falls. German Army swinging westward in attempt to reach English Channel via Arras and Calais and to drive a wedge between the Allied Forces in Belgium and the French. British and French tanks slow down the advance. May 21. —Arras and Amiens in flames. French forces evacuate Laon. German ’planes bomb Channel ports, including Boulogne. May 22. —Arras, recaptured by Allies German advance guards which had reach ed Abbeville chased out. All bridges across Somme blown up. The French entrenched on south bank. The last Liege fort surrenders. British Government takes drastic powers for prosecution of war. May 23.—Heavy fighting proceeding around Boulogne, German armoured forces having penetrated into the rear of the Allied Army in Belgium through a breach in the French Army. Abbeville in enemy hands and heavy fighting proceeding in Boulogne. May 24—Boulogne ..temporarily abandoned by Allies May 25. —Situation remains confused. Germans accroach Calais. May 26. —Germans take Boulogne. Calais and Dunkirk held by Allies. Heavy enemy losses. - May 27. —Allies withdraw from Valenciennes region. Strong enemy attacks in Men in area. . May 28.—King Leopold of Belgium capitulates to Germany, but government determines to fight on. Terrific warfare continues, especially in the north where Allies are forced to withdraw. May 29.—8.E.F. and French in Flanders fighting terrific rearguard actions to cover their withdrawal. Extremely critical situation in north. Gormans storm Ypres. May 30—Allies fall back to coast skilfully in face of increased enemy pressure; some troops evacuated. Deliberate nature of Leopold’s surrender disclosed.