TROOPS GATHER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 136, 4 March 1940, Page 7

TROOPS GATHER

Germans Concentrate On Swiss Border SAID TO BE RESTING Vigorous Press Campaign (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received March 3, 7.15 p.m.) BASLE, March 2. After a vigorous German Press campaign against Switzerland, large-scale troop movements on the German side of the Swiss frontier are reported for the first time since the outbreak of war. Many contingents of Austrian and Bavarian troops have arrived at villages across the Rhine from Basle to Lake Constance. German sources say the troops are merely resting. Swiss officials do not appear to be specially alarmed. The army’s strength is expected to reach 500,000 shortly. The Western Freni. 'The French day communique states that t :, jre was patrol and firing activity In the region of the River Lautor.

A German communique reports patrol and artillery activity on the Western Front and that the air force reconnoitred over eastern France and the North Sea. The French official evening communique states: East of the Moselle one of our reconnoitring detachments was attacked by a German force superior in numbers. A fight ensued with success of our arms and loss to the enemy. There was increased aerial activity between the 'Swiss frontier and the Ardennes.

The latest French war communique reveals that the French Air Force has been active and successful in the past day or two without meeting with any losses. French reconnaissance .planes have flown far into Germany by day and l night and two more German reconnaissance planes have been shot down in French territory. These are in addition to the Dornier bomber brought down by a British Hurricane fighter. —Daventry radio.