FOUR FRENCH ARMIES DIVIDED BY GERMANS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 143, 18 June 1940, Page 7

FOUR FRENCH ARMIES DIVIDED BY GERMANS

NEAR SWISS ALPS. Still Fighting After Great Reverses. ENEMY CLAIMS PALL OP METZ. j I'nited Tress Association.—Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. The French military spokesman at Bordeaux said: I'We have lost great quantities of artillery and other equipment, but are "still fighting strongly in the region westward of Evreux and Chartres. Another group is fighting in the province of Loire.

"Xear the Swiss border the German drive has divided four French armies. The only French army intact is the 4th, which is stationed near the Alps, where the Italians are not attacking." A Berlin special communique claims that the Mctz fortress surrendered in the afternoon. The German military commentator said: "Marshal Petain's offer to Germany and his cease fire order should not mean the conclusion of an armistice. The situation will be clarified in a few days. Meanwhile, the pursuit of the French Army is continuing." A Geneva report says a German motorised column occupied Gex, 11 miles ! north-west of Geneva, and is now nearing Fernev, four miles from Geneva. The latest French report save th<* battle continued to-day alon<r the whole of the frout, particularly in the middle Loire. There was violent fighting at Orleans and in the region of La Charite. Enemy detachments which succeeded in crossing the river have been contained on the Lateral Canal running parallel with the river. East of Loire the enemy made further i progress 'beyond Autun. In Burgundy the enemy entered Dijon and also rcached DpuLks puslrng motorised columns into Jura. At all points of contact our troops arc still fighting with the same bravery and for the honour of the flag.