“HOLD ON!”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 7

“HOLD ON!”

MESSAGE TO FRENCHMEN.' , EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS. Received June 6, 10 a.m. PARIS, June 5. The Prime Minister (M. lteynaud) told the Chamber Military Commission that there were reasons, for a more favourable issue in the present battle. The Paris radio, in a message to the troops, said: “Hold On! It can be deduced from the rapidity with which the new offensive has been launched that Hitler cannot allow his troops breathing space because, in order to achieve victory, he must wage a short war. Therefore, we must Hold on.” The Germans bombed a number of places in Central France between 1.20 p.m. and 3.5 p.m. COMRADES IN ARMS.

The Paris day communique says: “All information received from the front since the early hours of this morning shows that the violent enemy effort is directed thus far between the sea and the Laon-Soissons road.” The front, as given by the French official spokesman, extends from the sea along the Somme through Abbeville, Amiens and Peronne to Ham, then across the Oise at Chauny and across the Aisne at Vailly. West thereof it runs to the Laon-Soissons road. The British Official Wireless quotes a War Office communique as stating that south of the Somme our troops are now' operating in conjunction with the French. It is learned in London that the British troops operating with the French armies south of the Somme hold only a 'comparatively small part of the front in relation to that manned by the French. This force includes, some of the finest soldiers in the British Army and it is in active contact with the enemy. Inspired by the magnificent feat that the armies performed -in Flanders, these British troops are determined to live up to the standard set them. In a specially favourable position regarding supplies—it has already been stated that the main British supplies were not in the area lately occupied by the Germans—the B.E.F. in France awaits with confidence whatever situation may arise.