MUCH ACTIVITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1940, Page 5

MUCH ACTIVITY

ON SNOWBOUND WESTERN FRONT ACTIONS & ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN PATROLS. IN SPITE OF LOW TEMPERATURE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, December 31. A snowbelt stretches over the Western Front, and the temperature is 28deg below zero as the Allies stand to their guns awaiting the passing of ilie old year. This morning’s French official communique staled: “Much activity during* the night, in spite of snow and cold. At many points on the front there were actions and encounters between patrols. Artillery on both sides repeatedly intervened.” This evening’s French official communique stated, “A quiet day.” German raiders attacked a French outpost with hand grenades. Artillery and machine-guns drove them oil. French patrols scattered a German scouting party. Both sides macle a few reconnaissance flights. Saturday morning’s French official communique stated: “Patrol activity between Moselle and Saar, in spite of intense cold. Activity in the air reported yesterday, ended in no encounters between aviators.” Saturday evening’s French official communique stated: “Further reduced activity of contact units.” A German war communique on Saturday, after mentioning that the Western Front was quiet, said that the Air Force, in spite of bad weather, carried out reconnaissance flights over northern England and France. This British authorities deny. It is officially stated in Berlin that there is nothing to confirm British assertions that British troops in the front line in France made contact with German troops.