GIVEN GREAT OVATION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 7

GIVEN GREAT OVATION

FRENCH ADVANCE IMPORTANT PROQREBB MADE MAJOR BATTLE EXPECTED COUNTER-OFFENSIVE SMASHED (United Press Assn.—-Elec. Tel. Copyright) PARIS, Sept. 11 French infantry, following massed tanks, are reported to have driven between two and four miles deeper over the 12J-mile front eastward of the Saar River, and are holding a sallient close to Blieskastel and Pirmasens, which is directly along the front fortifications of the Westwall (the Siegfried Line) and toward Zweibrucken, five miles inside the German frontier. A communique issued in Paris said that, in spite of resistance, the French attack had continued to make important progress over a 20-kilometre front, east of the Saar. This suggests that a major battle is approaching along the 100-mile front from the Moselle to the Rhine. The French attack is concentrated against the heights between Zweibrucken and the Rhine. A Significant Phrase The phrase “east of the Saar” in the communique just mentioned is significant. This point is the very centre of the line between the Rhine and the Moselle, and the significance lies in its conjunction with announcement on Saturday of the French occupation of the Warndt Forest. Significance attaches also to the reference to a 20-kilometre front. This is not a mere local advance; but the Germans will strive to delay their retreat into the Westwall. Once they are below ground, their reaction to attacks will be restricted to artillery fire, for the points from which sorties can be made will be under constant fire. Experience in 1914-18 showed that it is difficult to keep troops controlled when they are in what amounts to a prison, pounded relentlessly by heavy guns, not knowing what is happening outside, and knowing that barrages are being laid down to cut off their retreat and prevent reinforcements from reaching them. Germans Out Down The German counter-offensive in the Merzig-Sierck area, east of the Moselle, was smashed on Sunday night. This offensive is reported to have been entrusted to relatively important units of the German Regular Army, who advanced several hundred yards before they were halted by a French counter-attack. They were cut down by withering fire from the Maginot Line. The fighting lasted all night, and the German attack was halted early on Monday morning.

ARRIVAL ON THE WESTERN FRONT STIRRING SCENES OF 1914 RECALLED ANGLO-FRENCH TROOPS FIGHTING TOGETHER (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 12 British troops have already taken part in advances into German territory, says the Daily Mail. The transport of the British Expeditionary Force to France occupied several days and was carried out in great secrecy without mishap. The troops were given a tremendous ovation in France, recalling the scenes of 1914. Men and women in Paris wept for joy at the sight of the soldiers marching' with swinging stride along the cobbled streets, and cried excitedly: “Voila les Tommies! Voila les Anglais!” Once again history repeated itself, and the troops sang “Old Faithful” and “Tipperary,” the echoes being caught up by the throngs hurrying and half-running beside the marching columns and singing the refrain in a broken jingle, half English and half French. Laughing, chattering girls sought souvenirs, and all the famous scenes of the “Old Contemptibles” were enacted again. It is now officially announced in London that British troops are fighting beside the French on the Western Front. Units of the Royal Air Force have also arrived. The British press to-day hailed the announcement that Tommies are on German soil, after the complaints of the ultra-severe censorship. Secrecy was maintained until the troops had landed in order to reduce the danger of submarine attack. Successful operations are reported. The Royal Air Force reconnoitred the Siegfried Line in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. A Daventry broadcast says a statement was issued in London that for military reasons it is impossible to give any precise information about the British troops fighting in France.

THE BRITISH FORCES TAKE UP BATTLE POSITIONS NOT YET IN ACTION THE NEED FOR SECRECY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrl^ni) (Received Sept. 13, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 12 Although the English newspapers today describe advances of English artillery and mechanised forces against the Germans, the Ministry of Information announced: “While English troops have landed in France these troops are not yet in action. No further details can be furnished meantime.” PARIS, Sept. 12 The British Expeditionary force has taken up battle positions. THE SIEGFRIED LINE AIM OF FRENCH FIRE PREVENTION OF REINFORCEMENTS (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 13, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 12 The Paris correspondent of the British United Press states that the French positions on German soil have been greatly consolidated. The fire of the French artillery is directed mainly at the rear of the Siegfried Line, with the object of preventing the enemy bring up reinforcements to supplement the permanent garrisons, which at some points are merely skeleton. • A survey by the Ilavas Agency shows that during the night the French troops limited themselves to strengthening their positions in the territory occupied in Germany. French Advance Continues The official wireless stated that since the failure of the German coun-ter-attack near the Luxembourg frontier the French advance in the Saar is continuing with marked success. The German High Command states that no bombs have been dropped on German territory on the western front. GERMAN ADMISSION FIGHTING ON WESTERN FRONT FURTHER SLOVAK SUCCESSES 'United Press Assn.-v-Elee. Tel. Copyrl?m) (Received Sept. 13, 1 p.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 12 It is officially announced that there was some fighting on the Western Front. The Polish lines east of Warsaw have been broken. The Slovaks adas much as twelve miles on some fronts into Poland.