THE WESTERN FRONT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22921, 18 January 1940, Page 7

THE WESTERN FRONT

British Patrols Active HEAVY FALL OF SNOW fUSiI'CD FBXSS ASSOCIVTIOB— COPTBIOHT.) (Received January 17, 11.15 p.m.)

LONDON, January 16,

The British Expeditionary Force Headquarters in France state that a heavy snowfall in the British sector is preventing a surprise offensive.] The last few days have been a period of lively anticipation, and the cancellation of leave was one of a number of precautions. The tension has eased, although the stand-by continues. The troops are awaiting developments calmly. A British patrol engaged a German patrol in no-man's-land last night. At least one German was killed. The body was brought, back, to the British lines. The British suffered no casualties.

British patrols are now operating every night. i Three German detachments attacked a French patrol lying in| ambush for prisoners. The French repulsed the attack and retired with- j out loss.

It is so cold on the Western Front that British soldiers manning outposts within rifle range of the German lines are robbed of their sleep. Their only shelter is shallow dugouts and log huts. Fires are forbidden, as the smoke would guide enemy patrols and attract artillery fire.

Physical exercises such as the stamping of feet are not permitted, because the impact of heavy boots on the frozen earth echoes like a shot.

Dress discipline in the forward areas has been relaxed. The men wear scarves, and Balaclavas, and use straw-filled sand-bags for footwarmers. Sentries at night must pull back their Balaclavas and strain their ears in the bitter wind, and as a result they suffer acutely from the cold.

Those in the advance posts are relieved after short periods and sent back to a base town to rest.

The static nature of the war has produced a number of personalities on both sides of no-man's-land. One is "George," > a German sniper who carries tea to a breastwork every morning and does exercises 900 yards from the nearest British outpost. Efforts to snipe him have failed.

"EMPIRE CAN BE BEATEN"

AUSTRALIAN MINISTER'S WARNING

MELBOURNE, January 17,

"I say that this is a war in which the British Empire can be beaten. I say so with infinite regret, I do not think we shall lose, but the response up to the present has not been of

the kind to give the sure guarantee we would like," said the Australian Minister for Information (Sir Henry Guilett), appealing for an whelming response to the Empire air scheme. ' -."■•- ••'Recruits cannot come along too early. Only by air supremacy can we win, I do not think we can win it by land or sea. "In the coming year we must stiffen ourselves for patches of grave news, as a German blow of great strength is due at any moment.

TURKISH DEFENCE MEASURES

URGENCY REQUESTED BY GOVERNMENT

ANKARA, January 16.

The Turkish Defence Ministry has introduced a bill urgently asking for an additional extraordinary credits for military requirements, • ~ .• .. An earlier message said that the Government had asked the National Assembly to pass urgently a bill ensuring national defence and the national economy in the event of Turkey being involved in war.