Nazis' Plan For Attack

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 220, 18 September 1939, Page 8

Nazis' Plan For Attack

TO STOP FRENCH Save Saarbrucken And Seize The initiative INVADE NEUTRALS? (United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 2 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 1 7. The "New York Times" Paris correspondent says the continued arrival of German reinforcements dominates the situation on the Western Front. French headquarters confirm the surmise that they are from Poland, describing them as aviation and large units-—implying that there are several divisions. Recent French and German communiques, says the correspondent, have contained every indication of the preparation for a battle. The arrival of the new units raised speculation as to German intentions. Obviously they must attempt first to halt the French progress and save Saarbrucken, reported to be on the point of falling; secondly, they must wrest the initiative from the French and drive them back to the Maginot Line. Success would merely mean their transfer elsewhere. The fight between the two walls which has been going on for the past fortnight has made recognisable the fact that the Maginot Line is stronger than the West Wall (Siegfried' Line). It will be a long siege in which the Germans will be fighting time because of their economic situation. Another World War? Experts imply that Germany may attack elsewhere than on the Maginot Line, necessitating a violation of neutrality of one or more States and precipitating a second World War. Clearly Switzerland rejects any conditions attached to her neutrality, and Germany guaranteed Belgium, providing that no Power used Belgian territory as a base from which to prepare an attack on Germany. It is significant that the British Ministry of Information announced rumours from German sources circulated throughout - Belgium that there is imminent danger of a British landing on the Belgian coast. Switzerland has mobilised and is watching particularly die valley of the Aar a vulnerable route to Geneva and a possible threat to Lyons. Belgium has also mobilised. However, Luxembourg, unarmed and undefended, is mott nervous. Attacks Near Luxembourg. The Moselle part of the German-Luxembourg boundary was the scene of German counter-attacks last week, which were strongest in the vicinity of Perl and the Neid River. These are in the sector nearest to Luxembourg. It will be remembered that the Maginot Line extends along the r rench-Luxembourg frontier. ..... es P° ns ible German writers in past years have advocated a blitzkrieg (lightning war) against France by crossing the Rhine between Basle and Schaffhausen. This is impossible at present, but it is reported from Basle that the Germans have- closed th« frontier, presumably to conceal troop movements. Attack Began at Dawn. The Associated Press of Great Britain's correspondent at asle, Switzerland, says the Germans are reported to be attacking the French lines, which have been tightening in the Moselle Valley. Reinforcements from Poland have stimulated the German mora e. aptured Polish war material and German motorised divisions Wave arrived A heavy German attack began at dawn, ten miles east of the Moselle. f . control an important highway from the Moselle to the iiaar and are basing their action on Buschdorf and Tunsdorf. Ihe , rench are advancing steadily in the north-east and north, hreatening to isolate the Germans holding the forts between Perl ana 1 ettingen. <> The German attack is based on the Saarburg Forest and « lver ' ne ® r Orscholz, and is reported to have struck southwards, supporting a second attack to the west from Merzig. arH«,^7 V V hellin u °f COl ? munic ations supported both German foicerl tU 6 f° f Uth .° f and alon S the S aar. The Germans were ;r^K°VrM de i e S SlVe aga , in f a French drive designed SuDoortinff lver a " d heights commanding Saarlautern. S; n a S c tr ° n , g Frencl ? force mov ed northward from the ma n Bouzonvdle-Saarlautern highway, attacking the left flank KerJiSgen defendin S the Neid River Valley and capturing