TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1939, Page 7

TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT

ONE OF THE GREATEST ARTILLERY DUELS IN HISTORY In Progress Between Western Fortified Lines TROOPS ARRIVING IN FRANCE IN STEADY STREAM DISTINCT THREAT TO SAARBRUCKEN (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, September 12. The Basle correspondent of the Associated Press of America says reports indicate that one of the greatest artillery duels in history began during the night in the eastern Moselle Valley between the Maginot and Siegfried Lines. Swiss observers expressed the opinion that the British and French staffs are building up to an actual assault on the Siegfried Line in the near future. Advancing during the day and consolidating their gains at night, while the artillery of both sides is very active all the time, the French have continued their progress along a 12-mile line east of the Saar River, states the Paris correspondent of the “New York Times.’’ Saarbrucken is distinctly threatened. Its capture would have a moral effect but would not change the situation very materially, since the main objective must remain the West Wall. Troops from England are arriving in a steady stream. There is perfect unity of thought between the British and French staffs.

ACTING AS ONE NATION ANGLO-FRENCH PLANS. PARIS, September 13. . The semi-official Havas Agency says yesterday’s meeting of the Supreme War Council indicates that Britain and France have decided to act, not on. parallel lines following simple general directions, but in a unified way as if they were one and the same nation. It adds that economic and financial unity is equally complete. British and French experts are already working in London to ensure freedom, of supplies to the two countries and to disorganise the enemy’s supplies. LONG RANGE GUNS HEAVY BARRAGE OPENED. AGAINST FRENCH POSITIONS IN SAAR. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, September 13. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that German long-range artillery, hidden several miles behind the lines, today opened- a heavy barrage against the French positions on the Saar River. The enemy guns pounded a small village in the area held by the French near Saarbrucken. Despatches from Amsterdam confirm that the Germans are evacuating the Trier district and also the neighbourhood of Anchen. NOT IMPORTANT GERMAN VIEW OF WESTERN FIGHTING. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN, September 13. A communique.dismisses the fightingon the French front as unimportant and claims the recapture of Birnbirg, four miles south-east of Saarbrucken.