AN IN DECISIVE STAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1940, Page 5

AN IN DECISIVE STAGE

POSITION MEANTIME FAVOURABLE Germans May Launch New Attack LARGE NUMBERS OF ENEMY TANKS DESTROYED SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS BY FRENCH AIRCRAFT The position of the Allied forces in the battle on the Western Front at the end of the third day is regarded as favourable, states a Daventry broadcast. Authoritative opinion m London is that there should be no undue optimism, as there are no means of concluding that there may not be another attack soon to come. West of Amiens, the Allied positions have gone back to the river Bresle, but otherwise the position is much as it was. . , . A French military spokesman said the positions behind Amiens were still being held by the French, who were also holding the main German attack at Peronne, although at this . point the Germans threw into the battle over 1000 tanks. Between Amiens and Ailette, on the plateau near the Aisne, the Germans were making a terrific push and had flung into the battle as many as forty infantry divisions. Germans bombers are being used only to a limited extent compared with the previous offensive. A large proportion of the 400 tanks destroyed on the previous day had been put out of action by French aircraft. BRITISH BOMBERS AND FIGHTERS BUSY. An Air Ministry communique states that throughout Thursday and Thursday night and on Friday, sustained attacks by medium and heavy bombers had been made on the enemy lines of communication leading to the battlefield. Various targets in the area immediately behind the fighting lines were attacked. '“Five medium bombers failed to return. Formations of heavy bombers had attacked oil refineries, marshalling yards, lines of communication and aerodromes in German occupied territory and in North-west Germany. Fighters had also been active and fifteen enemy aircraft had been destroyed. Four British fighters are missing. ■ A French military spokesman said that although the Germans had thrown fresh troops into the battle all the attacks had been held and the Allied line was still firm. All day long the destruction of German tanks had continued and the earlier figure of 400 destroyed given officially had now been greatly exceeded. There had been much less dive-bombing and the Germans had lost large numbers of this type of plane. One estimate puts down their losses in the Battle of Flanders at about 60 per cent. It has been found that machine-guns deal with them effectively. 1 ENEMY INFILTRATION TACTICS. A French war communique states that the battle continues with the same violence. The enemy has thrown new masses into the attack all along the line. Advanced units have broken off the engagement and in the region of the upper Bresle enemy armoured units have filtered through the lines without being able to destroy the strong points, which are still resisting. The Germans attempted to cross the river near Soissons, but enemy elements which penetrated to the right bank of the river were annihilated. In the last 24 hours over 100 tons of bombs had been dropped on tanks and transport convoys, while 21 enemy planes had been shot down. It is revealed that French airmen are using new American machines, which are excellent.' About 400 German bombers passed over the French lines yesterday. Bombs dropped during the night in Central France caused some material damage, but apparently no casualties. AMERICAN SALES TO ALLIES. President Roosevelt is seeking authority to trade in old types of guns to who can resell them to the Allies. Permission for the sale of planes and ammunition has already been granted. If the permission sought is given it will be possible to supply the Allies with large numbers of the famous. French seventy-fives. Arrangements have also been made for the Allies to receive large quantities of ammunition. From today any ship approaching nearer than three miles to the British coast during the hours of darkness, except in an organised British convoy, will be liable to be fired on.