PROGRESS OF BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1940, Page 5

PROGRESS OF BATTLE

HUNDREDS OF ENEMY TANKS DESTROYED

Nazi Raids on Allied Towns

POLICY OF DIRECT REPRISALS

MAIN DEFENCES HELD ON SOMME AND AISNE

The French Prime Minister, M. Reynaud in a broadcast to the French people, reported by Daventry, said that m his last two messages he had given bad news. Today the P^ 0 * 1 mained grave, but he had reasons for•hope General W§and, he said, was well satisfied with the French answer to the; new German offensive. Hundreds of enemy tanks had been destroyed on the previous day. Germany s dream of control over Europe was going to disappear under French resistance. Referring to the air raid on Paris, M. Reynaud said every German raid on British or French towns would be answered with raids on German towns. , Authoritative circles state that the battle has not yet developed to its fullest intensity. According to French military circles the main Allied Somme-Aisne defences are holding, liie immediate objectives of the enemy appear to be Laon and Paris. Allied air forces have adopted the German tactics and have harassed German troops and the front lines of communication, besides penetrating deep into Germany. British planes carried out a daring raid on the oil fuel depots at Ghent. Ten German planes were shot down in raids in Central France. German planes also raided certain areas in England during the night. They did not do much damage. A number of incendiary and high explosive bombs were dropped m rural districts but most of the bombs fell in fields. About six people were injured slightly. A French communique states that the battle continues on all fronts between the sea and the Laon area. The enemy has thrown into the fight masses of tanks in groups of 200 to 300. Altogether there are more than 2000 German tanks taking part. The French troops engaged have fought magnificently. They have faced up to the onslaught and tanks which have penetrated the lines are being subjected to fire from all sides. Aircraft are also attacking them. The number of tanks destroyed is considerable, amounting to several hundreds. In the face of this onslaught certain withdrawals have been necessary and German tanks have filtered through to positions south of the Somme. In the region of Ailette, detachments of the enemy have pushed forward to the right bank of the Aisne, The battle continues with the same violence. The Rhineland railway system and factories in the region of the Rhine have been destroyed by aircraft. Thirty-six German planes were shot down by fighters and anti-aircraft fire and seven others were hit and probably destroyed,