INCIDENTAL CONQUEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1939, Page 5

INCIDENTAL CONQUEST

FRENCH CAINS OF GERMAN TERRITORY — • STEPS TOWARDS ASSAULT . ON WEST WALL. PROGRESS BY ORDERED STAGES. NEW YORK, September 9. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that at the end>of the first week of the war the French hold approximately 200 square miles of German' territory, including 20 square miles of the Warndt Forest, west of Forb'aoh. The conquest can be regarded as in - cidental, the main results of the operations being the diversion of German troops from Poland and, the clearing •of positions to enable a French assault on the main line of the west wall. It is K not regarded as an outstanding French victory, but as a preliminary to increasingly difficult operations. The Paris correspondent of the United Press of America says it is reliably reported that French forces have surrounded Saarbrncken and are pressing forward. a Military observers in Paris state that the'Warndt Forest covers one of the richest coal deposits in the Saar A French High Command communique states that the French found much destruction in the Warndt Forest and all sorts, of traps. Despite local enemy counter-attacks, the French captured important heights. German artillery was most active in attempting to stem the advance. The French aerial reconnaisance continues, despite the .efforts of pursuit planes. The Paris correspondent of the “Nev? York Times” states that the French communiques have been stressing the air force reconnaisance activity. This in conjunction with the similar British activity, seems to justify a belief thai when the west wall is attacked the wai will'see the first massive use of aviation..

In the meantime the French are increasing their pressure and progress on the western front. The enemy must further reinforce because, de-

spite the peacetime boasts about the invulnerability of the permanent fortifications, the Germans must organise their positions behind the threatened line. The importance of the occupation of the Wardnt Forest lies in the fact that it is bounded to the north by the Saar River, possession of which would greatly strengthen the French position. It should be remembered that the advancing force must “organise in depth” in readiness for possible counter-at-tacks and’prepare successive lines of defence at the rear.

A semi-afficial communique underlines the mopping-un of the ground between the Maginot line and the west wall and the consolidating of positions. When the process is complete it will be possible to Contemplate an attack on the west wall.