FRENCH REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 5

FRENCH REPORT

BATTLE RAGING ALONG MEUSE SOME ENEMY CROSSINGS. STRUGGLE MAY LAST FOR DAYS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received this Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. A French War Ministry spokesman said: —“A great battle is raging along the Meuse. The Germans crossed the river south from Sedan and made a salient 10 miles deep, but the French counter-attacked and reduced it to five miles. The Germans also crossed the Meuse at two or three points north from Dinant, making small bridgeheads. The situation is grave, but the battle is developing normally and may last for days. NO EVACUATION OF BRUSSELS POPULATION. PEOPLE URGED TO REMAIN CALM. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. A Brussels radio message declared that there is no necessity for evacuation of Brussels and appealed to the population to remain calm while the battle raged. The Belgian army has already achieved successes and British and French forces in Belgium are increasing their contact with the Germans. LIEGE & NAMUR THE ENEMY CLAIMS. HITLER CONFERS IRON CROSSES. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. The German News Agency in Berlin says the Germans captured two of Namur's forts. Some Liege forts are still in Belgian hands. The Berlin radio reports that Herr Hitler conferred the knighthood of the Iron Cross on the commander of the Parachutist Division, General Lieutenant Student, commander of the Air Born troops division and General Lieutenant Count Sponek, for meritorious services in crushing Dutch resistance. THE HAGUE ENTERED COUNTRY REPORTED QUIET. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 15. A Dutch radio message (probably now German controlled) reported the entry of German motorised troops to The -Hague at 8 a.m. Demobilisation of the Dutch forces is in full swing. All quiet is reported throughout the country. ENEMY REPORT MEUSE CROSSED ON BROAD FRONT. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) BERLIN, May 15. A High Command communique states that the Germans have crossed the Meuse on a broad front and that between Namur and Givet they repulsed a French counter-attack. Enemy attempts to hinder the German Air Force, by bombing our positions, were repulsed without seriously affecting our air initiative. Enemy losses in planes are over 200 while only <35 German planes are missing. DUTCH CAPITULATION NEWS RECEIVED CALMLY IN PARIS. LONDON. May 15. Paris has taken the news of the Dutch capitulation calmly. The news was not unexpected. Military circles there point out that if the capture of the Netherland will give Germany a chance to establish new air bases, it also provides Royal Air Force bombers with nearer targets and opens an airway to Westphalia and to the Ruhr..

Territorial headquarters of the Salvation Army in Wellington announce that Lieutenant-Colonel G. Grattan has been appointed chief secretary for the Australia east territory. Colonel Grattan has been chief secretary in New Zealand for the last four years. Lieutenant-Colonel C. Walls has been appointed field secretary for Australia South. For the past 30 years he has filled various responsible positions in New Zealand, latterly being national young people's secretary. Colonel T. Driscoll is coming from Australia lo be chief secretary in New Zealand. Another appointment of interest to many in New Zealand is that of Colonel J. Bladin. now chief secretary in Sydney, to be chief secretary in Great Britain. He served as a chaplain to the New Zea-j land forces during the last war.