ALL GAINS HELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1939, Page 5

ALL GAINS HELD

FRENCH DRIVE INTO GERMAN DEFENCES FIERCE FIGHTING AT SOME POIMS. PROGRESS ON EXTENDED FRONT. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) PARIS, September 11. It is reported that the French smashed German counter-attacks in an overnight battle on the Maginot frontier. Fierce hand to hand fighting occurred in open farmlands along the SierckSaarburg Road. The French also held all their gains. A communique states that despite resistance, the attack has continued to make important progress over a 20 kilometre front east of the Saar. It is unofficially stated that the French have greatly consolidated their positions on German soil in the last 24 hours, causing heavy German casualties during a counter r offensive. The French newspaper, “Petit Parisien,” says: “For more than 24 hours the Germans have resisted energetically on the whole of the north-east front, specially by means of artillery, which seems to indicate that our troops have bitten well into the Siegfried Line. Our artillery replied, effectively protecting the series of actions which had been planned with the greatest prudence. “Le Petit Journal” says: “All our bases for future movements are assured in German territory.” “Le Matin” says: “All the attacks were brought about slowly and with prudence and method. Marshal Gamelin is anxious to save French blood, and will not engage divisions in badly prepared battles.” The Berlin Law Gazette publishes drastic decrees ordering sweeping State control in the rationing and distribution of grain and grain products, meat, milk, dairy products, sugar, marmalade, spices, and seasonings, and the distribution of potatoes, eggs and fish. The basis of the Reich cards is different, the cards being effective immediately and timed till October 2. The Berne correspondent of the Havas (French) news agency states that Nazi efforts to persuade the world that peace is possible have had no effect on Switzerland which is confident that Britain and France will not abandon the punishment of Hitlerism.