ENEMY THRUST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1940, Page 5

ENEMY THRUST

ATTEMPT MADE TO CUT COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN BELGIUM & FRANCE AIP. ATTACKS ON BRUSSELS. HEAVY CASUALTIES REPORTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON May 10. The Brussels correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency says that German forces are moving forward in an attempt to cut off the communication between Belgium and France. The casualties in the first German air raid on Brussels are reported in London to have totalled 400. The Belgium wireless reports that the Germans bombed two points 25 miles to the south and east of Brussels. A Brussels mesage states that general mobilisation was proclaimed at 4.30 a.m. The people were warned to look out for parachutists and saboteurs. After Brussels’ airport was bombed ambulances clanged through the streets continuously. The anti-aircraft guns ceased fire at 7 a.m. Trains ran without interruption and dispatch riders clashed through the city. Jemelle is reported to be aflame. Brussels reports that a state of siege was announced and the censorship instituted early this morning. An official spokesman stated that the situation was not clear, but there was no question that Evere, outside Brussels, was bombed and several houses were destroyed. A Belgian wireless proclamation announced that Germany made no demarche before the aggression. The Government appealed to England and France to implement their guarantees, and King Leopold lodged a protest in Berlin. The broadcast added that the Germans came across the frontier at four points. A Paris message says it is officially stated that the Belgian army is resisting the invasion. Meanwhile reports from Belgium are not connected, but they state that parachutists came down at Nivelles (south of Brussels), Saint Trond, and elsewhere. Scores of planes were flying over Brussels and most other districts amid very heavy antiaircraft fire. / ntwerp and Jemelle were reported to have been bombed. Thirty-seven planes bombed Antwerp and destroyed a military hospital. Several buildings in Brussels were ruined. The station at Jemelle was wrecked. NAZIS LAY MINES OUTSIDE DUTCH AND BELGIAN PORTS. LONDON, May 10. Berlin radio at 9.20 p.m. announced that in order to safeguard German troops against enemy operations mines had been laid outside all Netherlands and Belgian ports. Shiping was advised to be careful approaching these harbours.