BATTLE’S CRITICAL STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 163, 10 June 1940, Page 7

BATTLE’S CRITICAL STAGE

DETERMINED FRENCH STAND

HUGE GERMAN FORCES

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received June 10, 10.5 a.m. PARIS, June 9. The military spokesman stated to-day that all of Germany’s available forces on the Western Front have been flung into a fresh attack which was launched at dawn from the sea to the Argonne region. It is estimated that Germany has now between 1,800,000 and 2,000,000 men engaged, apart from the armoured divisions. It is expected that the battle will develop most violently and that today will be the critical day. The Germans, using between 90 and 100 divisions, have thrown everything they possess into the battle. The Frehchy who yesterday withdrew under orders, abandoning small stretches of ground, have resumed the struggle with the same determination.

GENERAL WEYGAND’S SUMMONS. The General Officer Commanding the Allied Armies (General Weygand) has "sent the following message to the French Armies:— “A German offensive has now been launched along the whole front from the sea to Montmedy. It will stretch to-morrow as far as Switzerland. The order still is for each man to fight without thought of retreat, looking straight ahead where the Command has placed him. “The Commander-in-Chief is not unaware of the valiant efforts in which the Armies are engaged, and the Air Force are giving a magnificent example. He thanks them for their effort. France demands still more. - “Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men! The safety of our country requires of you not only your courage, but all the resolution, initiative, and fighting spirit of which you are capable.* The enemy has suffered considerable losses. He will soon reach the end of his effort. We have now reached the last-phase. Holdfast!” ' •The military authorities state that the situation is not desperate,. but serious. No report has been received of any serious break through, but there are bulges in some places. Two to three hundred tanks which penetrated the Bresle sector on Friday were mostly destroyed. / '