LATEST ENEMY MOVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1940, Page 5

LATEST ENEMY MOVE

STRONG OFFENSIVE AGAINST BELGIANS On Left Flank of Allied Line * BRITISH TROOPS HELPING TO STEM ONSET MANY SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS MADE BY R.A.F. A British War Office communique, broadcast by Daventry, states that the enemy had made no serious attack on the British lines, but had launched a strong offensive against the Belgian forces, on the left flank. British troops had gone to their assistance. Heavy bombing attacks had been made on towns behind the lines. The courage and resource of the British troops was not impaired. One tank had destroyed seven enemy armoured fighting vehicles. . In spite of many hard struggles during the past two weeks and in spite of the difficulties under which the troops have taken up new positions, a Belgian communique states, the Belgian forces have maintained their strength and morale. The Belgian troops were fighting on the left flank of the Allied forces, where the German troops are trying to push on to the Straits of Dover. Various local successes had been obtained. For example, on Saturday 500 prisoners were captured. Since the war started, 255 German planes have been brought down behind the Belgian lines. The R.A.F. has continued its attacks on the enemy in France, Belgium and Germany. Railway junctions, sidings and marshalling yards were bombed, dumps exploded and supply depots set on fire. More oil tanks at Rotterdam were also set on fire. Six British planes were lost. On Saturday and yesterday, sixty German planes were either destroyed or seriously ■ damaged. Eleven British planes are missing. A French communique states that the enemy delivered several attacks on the northern front. All of the attacks failed. Local actions on the Somme front turned to the advantage of the French, who seized a new crossing fronting the river. Between the Aisne and the Meuse there was lively artillery action on both sides. A strong enemy attack in the region of Malmedy was repulsed.

BRITISH HIGH COMMAND

Sir E. Ironside Placed in Charge of Home Defence

Important changes in the British High Command are announced. General Sir Edmund Ironside has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces in place of Sir Walter Kirke, who has resigned. General Sir John Dill has been appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff in place of Sir Edmund Ironside, who, in his new appointment, will be in charge of all measures for home defence, by sea, air and land.