GERMAN COLUMNS ARE PUSHING ON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 7

GERMAN COLUMNS ARE PUSHING ON

WEAK RESISTANCE.

French Army In The Alps Not Yet Attacked. BRITISH TROOPS WITHDRAW. United Prese Association.—Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. The Freneh night communique reports that in Brittany the enemy is pushing on towards Xantes. Southward of the Middle Loire, the Germans have reaehed the Cher River at certain points. Further eastward, the enemy has pushed elements in the direction of Roanne, Lyons and Amberieu, while operations continue in Alsace and* South Lorraine. The Havas Xews Agency in a commentary on the military situation eays French resistance is very weak between] Xevere and the Swiss frontier. Several' enemy columns are marching towards Bourges and considerable German forces are operating in the valley of the Allier River, aiming at taking Lyons from the rear. The French Army in the Alps has not yet been attacked by Germans or Italians. The French radio to-night re.-empha sised France's determination not to capitulate unconditionally. "She will continue to fight at the side of the Allies if Germany presents unacceptable conditions," said the broadcast. Altogether 4000 French soldiers have crossed the Swiss frontier, says a cable from Zurich, chiefly from Alsace. The influx of civilians has been decreasing since the Germans occupied the frontier region.

All British Troops Home. Britain has effected at top speed the withdrawal of her forces from Fiance. Continuous relays of <big and little snips safely transported*thousands of men and valuable material across the Channel. Royal Air Force pilots continued to 'harass the Germans until the moment of the withdrawal, and then flew their aeroplanes to their new Englkh bases, from which they set off with more 'bombs and bullets to continue the fight from the air over France and Germany. In the last few days British aircraft hare gone out in extraordinary force and have caused enormous casualties, attacking all points around Paris, setting fire to woods and pursuing infantry fleeing from the flames. The British authorities had ample warning of the imminence of the French move for an armistice and the evacuation was orderly, but the troops had to fight rearguard actions without support. What remained .of the French resistance was utterly disorganised, and the British troops embarking knew that although the Germans were not on their heels there was nothing between them and tlie fast-moving German vanguard.

The British Advanced Air Striking Force was successfully -evacuated and the unite have arrKed at a west coast port by ship.