OUTPOST CLASH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1940, Page 6

OUTPOST CLASH

MOST VIGOROUS OF WAR BRITISH POSITION SWIFTLY .REOCCUPIED. EXAGGERATED GERMAN CLAIM. \ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 11.50 a.m.) LONDON. March G. The British-German outpost clash was the most vigorous since the British Expeditionary Force entered the front line. The men occupying the outpost were heavily outnumbered. The position was swiftly reoccupied and is now strongly held. The German raid apparently was aimed at taking prisoners, as the attackers retreated quickly, leaving dead. Tonight Germany claimed that twenty British soldiers were killed and sixteen taken prisoner. British Expeditionary Force Headquarters emphasise that only two wore killed and one wounded.

GERMAN SNEERS

THREE PRISONERS HEARD OVER RADIO. (Received This Dav. 12.20 p.m.) LONDON. March G. A German semi-official commentary says, regarding the outpost affair:— “This is our first real fight with the British. These are the first British prisoners, apart from a mortally injured officer several weeks' ago. Our shock troops’ bold raid revealed that the British are occupying only one narrow sector, supported on either side by' the French. Our loud-speak-ers announced the capture to the French, some of whom gave malicious and joyful laughs and called out: “Serves them right. You will look after them well.” The Berlin radio broadcast interviews with three prisoners. A Bedford man. replying to questions, said: “I am in the best of health.” but added apprehensively, “at the present time." A Somerset man spoke similarly and a Berkshire man said: “Hullo. Mother. I am all right. I am not wounded, but. am a German prisoner."