HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 7

HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

SUCCESS OF THE FRENCH TROOPS POSITIONS ON GERMAN SOIL CONSOLIDATED ENEMY THRUST BACK AT BAYONET POINT (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 12, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 11 It is reported that the French smashed German counterattacks overnight in a battle on the Maginot frontier. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting occurred on open farmlands along the Sierck-Saarburg Road, in German territory, in which the Germans were thrust back at the bayonet point. The French also held all their gains. A communique states that despite resistance the attackers have continued to make important progress over a twentykilometre front in East Saar. It is unofficially stated that the French have greatly consolidated their positions on German soil during the last 24 hours, causing heavy German casualties during a counteroffensive. The action on the western front is gaining in intensity. The new zone of attack is from the eastern edge of the line from the Bitsch plateau to the German palatinate between the Little Saar river and the Vosges mountains. The German counter-attacks are directed at the western end of the line from the Saar basin.

HEAVY BOMBARDMENT FRENCH PLANES ACTIVE GERMAN CONCENTRATIONS HIT (United Press. Assn.—Elec. Tel eooyrlght) (Received Sept. 12, 1 p.m.) PARIS, Sept. 11 It is officially stated that French planes heavily bombed German concentration points in the Saar Valley behind the Seigfried Line. A German wireless claims that three French planes were brought down. THE SIEGFRIED LINE WEAKEST IN SAAR REGION GERMANS MAY FALL BACK DEFENCE POSITIONS BEHIND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 10 It is said to be evident that the Siegfried Line Is weakest in the Saar region, altho-ugh, owing to three sets of defences, it will be difficult to penetrate. The Germans, however, will be forced to fall back on quickly built defences, each one of which will be weaker than its predecessor. The London correspondent of the New York Times says misapprehensions concerning the Siegfried Line are being dissipated. It is not a line in the sense of the Maginot Line, but rather a series of military positions of great depth. The general theory of the defences is that attackers can be delayed by outposts and stronger resistance made in successive defence lines throughout the terrain, which is chequered with small forts and machine-gun nests. The theory provides for heavy counter-attacks by reserve mobile divisions before the enemy is able to consolidate amid the ruins of the captured ground. There are sections of the Siegfried Line at least 15 miles deep. Travellers in Germany in the crisis of September, 1938, were surprised at the comparatively few troops near the frontier, but there were thousands 15 miles behind. These were mechanised, mobile coun-ter-attackers. The Siegfried Line defences can be breached, but a whole campaign, and not a single action, is likely to be required. POLISH LEGION TO BE FORMED IN FRANCE APPEAL BY AMBASSADOR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) PARIS, Sept. 11 The Polish Ambassador. M. Jules Lukasiewicz, appeals to 800,000 Poles in France to form a legion for action with the French on the Western Fronl. RAID ON PARIS GERMAN PLANES DRIVEN OFF (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) / PARIS, Sept. 11 The air raid sirens soupdeil in Paris at 4.15 a.m. 10-tiay, and the all clear was sounded at 5.20 a.m. Raiders were reported to have been driven far It on the capital.

GERMAN ATTACKS ON THE WESTERN FRONT EFFORTS TO RELIEVE PRESSURE FRENCH HOLD THEIR OWN (United Press.. Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlylit) LONDON, Sept. 11 The Germans were reported last night to be striking into the triangle formed at the junction of the Moselle and the Saar Rivers, on the extreme northern flank of the Western Front, where the French had advanced farthest into the Saarland. A German offensive striking from Marzig, on the Saar River, is apparently designed to relieve the pressure to the east and protect the town of Trier (Treves). The French stale that the offensive failed to modify their advanced positions. With the French driving close to Zvveibrucken, Blieskastel and Temrasse, it was said a direct assault on the Siegfried Line may be expected at any time. The German resistance north of Bltche Is strong and the Germans are retreating stubbornly. The Germans have launched another offensive in the Sireck region, east of Moselle. Describing this counterattack, a French communique suggests that the Germans are apparently following the French tactics of using the Luxembourg frontier to cover their right flank. The French are advancing on a 20mile front between the Saar River and the foothills of the Vosges. Between these sectors, German counter-attacks from the shelter of a maze of coal mine galleries have apparently halted the French advance. German shock troops have carried out night raids on French positions in the Saar with varying success, says a message from Basle. Important French Gains The importance of the French gains can be gauged from the fact that firstline troops at several points are at the advanced Westwall (Siegfried Line) works, which are the ultimate objective, says the Paris correspondent of the New York Times. It is noteworthy that a German communique mentions tlie advance works, claiming that the French are far behind them, which they undoubtedly are at some points, for the front is not straight. The attackers aim to secure vital points, escape flanking fire, and organise conquered positions to facilitate the advance. The French command portions of the Lauter River and the Saar River, the importance of which lies in the fact that they cross the roads and rail junctions through the Saar between Volklingen and Wadgassen. Pounding by Artillery During the methodical advance the French heavy artillery is pounding the Westwall works to test their solidity, while aeroplanes constantly fly over and photograph the results. It is logical that any German coun-ter-offensive. as distinct from a coun-ter-attack, should come in the west, where it is rumoured the Westwall may be weakest. Forced back on their left and centre, the Germans might hope io relieve, the pressure by attacking on the right. A French communique implies that reconnoitring aeroplanes signalled troop concentrations near the base of the Moselle-Saar triangle. British Division Participates A British division took part in an attack on the Western Front., which resulted in the capture of important positions. A French communique states that a German counter-attack at numerous points was broken up. The situation was unchanged last night. Air activity is normal.