FRENCH VIEW OF BATTLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 162, 8 June 1940, Page 7

FRENCH VIEW OF BATTLE

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) Received June 8, 9 a. mi LONDON, June 7. It is authoritatively stated. that the general situation in France is ‘‘not too bad and, in fact, is pretty good.” But, although the authorities are confident, caution should be exercised against undue optimism,'because ‘‘we are not yet certain that there may not be a main attack yet to come.” A great many of tlie German armoured divisions which were engaged in pie Flanders battle have already been thrown into the present conflict, but there may be others Avhich have ynot yet been used in either battle. The. armoured units at present being used by the Germans are not up. to full strength. Many of Germany’s best infantry divisions '-hayed been, in action, but the newly-formed reserve divisions • have also entered the fighting. These could not be described'as first-class,' and some of them have had “a poor time.” ■ BATTLE FOR FRANCE. *. The Allied Gommander-in-Chief (General ■ Weygand) • has issued the following order of the day—- " The battle for France has begun. The order, is to defend our positions without thought of retreat. The French Army may .take thought that the ■ Homeland. ' wounded by the invader, inspires you to an unshakeable determination to hold where you are.” After the first two days of battle General Weygand congratulated the Armies on the tenacity with which they had executed his instructions.