BITTER FIGHTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 210, 13 June 1940, Page 5

BITTER FIGHTING.

GERMANS STILL ADVANCING.

FRENCH BACK TO THE MARNE. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) TOURS, June 12. The military spokesman said that the Germans w'ere attacking practically everywhere between the lower Seine and the Argonne, but the vital French defences had nowhere been pierced. German troops from the Soissons region advanced across the plateau south of the Aisne. There has been hitter fighting near Milon Fere-en-Tardenois. The French' line was then withdrawn to the Marne. The active fighting front now extends from the lower Seine, near Rouen, across the lower Oise to Meaux, and thence along the ■course of the Marne toward Rheims. The Germans are thrusting east toward Rheims on the high Tardenois plateau with four or five divisions, two of which are armoured. Fighting is continuing on the hills in the Rheims area. This thrust is part of the pincer movement aimed at Rheims itself, hut the French are holding up the Germans engaged in the other arm of the pincer.

SITUATION MOST, DIFFICULT.

NO SLACKENING IN NAZI ATTACK LONDON, June 12. It is authoritatively stated that there ir apparently no slackening of the German attack. The situation is most difficult. Everything depends on the French ability to hold off attacks by superior numbers. The most serious development since yesterday is the battle around Rheims, whore the Germans launched a heavy armoured attack. The Military Governor (General Hering), in an interview, declared that the defence of Paris does not constitute an isolated operation but remains within the joint strategical framework of the French armies.