HEAVY BOMBARDMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20919, 26 September 1939, Page 7

HEAVY BOMBARDMENT

ON THE WESTERN FRONT ATTACK ON SIEGFRIED LINE # ANNIHILATION OF TROOPS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 26, 1 p.m.) PARIS, Sept. 25 The French artillery began a direct bombardment of the main fortifications of the Siegfried Line in an attempt to blast the Germans from their positions. The Germans are replying, but are failing to make direct hits on the advanced French positions. The cannonades reached the intensity of the great bombardments of the last war. Hundreds of big guns are massed on both sides of the front. A Nazi mechanised detachment made a surprise encroachment on French territory in a quiet part of the Vosges sector. French shock troops took the offensive in the Saar and Palatinate regions and claim to have annihilated several German groups. The French consider that the German armies are not as powerful as in 1914 in numbers or fighting ability, although there is no lack of equipment. Prelude to General Offensive The Paris correspondent of the American Press says French artillery, supporting infantry attacks on the German flank, fired plentifully highcalibre shells against the Siegfried Line from Karlsruhe to the Swiss frontier, in order to forestall the expected German offensive. - Military observers believe that to- * day’s big-gun action may be the prelude to a general offensive. The French troops, driving towards Saarbrucken, suddenly swung north in the direction of Blieskastel, where the main Siegfried line begins. The French, however, appear to be on the defensive against German pressure at Wissembourg. The Germans are massing planes at strategic points near the Swiss border, indicating intensified aerial operations. They are also erecting aerodromes. The Senegalese troops are effectively participating in the French operations.