BRITAIN WAITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1940, Page 5

BRITAIN WAITS

FOR OUTCOME OF CRUCIAL ENCOUNTER NEWS MAY NOT COME FOR DAYS. , STRUGGLE TO CLOSE GAP. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, May 26. Because of the necessity in the national interest of not speculating regarding the British and Allied movements on the war fronts, England awaits decisive announce-

ment (which possibly will not be

forthcoming for several days) either of the evacuation of Belgium or the successful closing of the gap between Bapaume and Peronne. '

Whatever the course of the battle in Flanders, the British and Allied publics will assuredly not be told before the decision is fairly clear in this first and emphasisedly crucial encounter. The latest reports state that the Germans are attacking Courtrai and have occupied important flank defences on the ridges north-west from Arras, including Vimy Ridge. The Allies appear to hold Calais, but the fighting is very intense everywhere. The Allies are reported to be continuing their advance slowly from Bapaume to Peronne, but the Germans hitherto have steadily poured in troops and armoured units through the gap and claim to be consolidating their positions.

The Allies are reported to have reduced the gap to 12 miles and to be seriously strafing from both edges with artillery.

GLARE OF BATTLE SEEN FROM ENGLISH COAST. GREAT FIRE RAGING ACROSS CHANNEL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. May 25. Watchers on the south-east coast of England early today saw a great fire raging across the Channel. The glare lit up the sea and the seafront of a French coastal town. Dense columns of smoke rising from (he French coastal battlegrounds to the sky throughout the day reached a height of three miles, while detonations from R.A.F. bombers flying from the British coast shook the doors and windows of British towns.