FRENCH REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1940, Page 5

FRENCH REPORTS

“BEGINNING OF BATTLE OF FLANDERS” THE ARRAS-BAPAUME GAP. BRITISH HOLD ON FLANKS MAINTAINED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 23. The French morning communi— The French morning communique states: “It is confirmed that the outskirts of Cambrai. Fighting in the north is continuing.with the greatest violence. Artillery combat has become violent at various points, particularly in the regions of Attigny ‘ and Longuyon and northward of the Nied River (near the Moselle Region).”

A French military spokesman described the fighting as the "beginning of the battle of Flanders” and claimed that the French success in advancing to Cambrai had neutralised the German successes in this sector on the previous day. British headquarters announced that in Belgium the Germans attacked the British positions on the River Escaut at many places. They were unsuccessful except near Audenarde, where they have forced a crossing.

“There has been firece fighting in the Arras sector, the British communique continues. “We have maintained our positions on this flank of the gap between Arras and Bapaume. The enemy has sent armoured elements through the gap, followed by motorised forces which have reached the neighbourhood of the coast.”

A Berlin message states that after inquiries to the German High Command authorised quarters deny reports that the Allies have recaptured Abbeville, Amiens and Sedan. The British Air Ministry announces that during yesterday R.A.F. bomber squadrons caused further havoc among German troop concentrations and supply columns, as well as raiding enemy military objectives.