Strategic Withdrawal

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 8

Strategic Withdrawal

ENEMY PUSH TO BRUSSELS

Occupation of Half Holland

Claimed

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright-) (Received May 14, 2.10 p.m.)

LONDON, May 13. The Germans claim to have occupied half of Holland. In this connection the Amsterdam correspondent of "The Times" observes that the province of North Brabanfe has always been considered indefensible, also the two northernmost provinces of Grdningen and Friesland, the speedy occupation of which Berlin is boasting about.

The Dutsh forces, after delaying the Germans crossing the River Yssel, withdrew to their main defences. The Germans are now nearing the inundations protecting Amsterdam.

It is expected that the Germans will attempt to cross the inundated zone south-east of Amsterdam. Therefore, they are fiercely bombarding the communications between that city and the strongly fortified town of Amersfoort.

The Dutch admit a withdrawal with slight losses at Yssel

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The violence of the German drive to Brussels is being ferociously maintained. The spokesman at the French War Ministry explained that the Belgian, French, and Dutch troops are falling back strategically before the German advance. The French night communique says: "German troops today continued mass attacks in Belgium and Holland; In Holland they made some advance, especially on the lower reaches Of the Meuse. In Belgium and in the region of Saint Trond French counterattacks inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. The Germans made a particularly important effort in the Belgian Ardennes, where they achieved some progress. Our light mechanised units, having fulfilled the delaying action with which they were charged, fell back on the Meuse, which the enemy reached at one point. The enemy exerted strong pressure at Longwy, but his attacks were repulsed, similarly to those launched east of the Moselle and in the region of the Saar. Allied and enemy aircraft continued to support their land forces, attacking the adversary's columns. Fifteen enemy aircraft were shot down during these engagements. Behind the lines, enemy air action, though repeated, caused only damage of little importance from a military viewpoint." A German communique claims that in addition to advances in Holland the invaders forced a second passage of the Albert Canal, north-west of Hasselt and also advanced west of Liege and north of the Meuse and captured the citadel at Liege, the outer forts of which are still resisting. It adds that German forces encountered French troops west of the Ourthe River, in southern Belgium, where "our troops are advancing rapidly and the vanguard are already nearing their objectives."

German military quarters in Berlin declared that their armoured units clashed with Allied armoured units south-west of Saint Trond. It is claimed that the Germans, aided by aeroplanes, repulsed the Allied force. •

The scale upon which the rival air squadrons are contesting for supremacy is matched by the tremendous use of tanks. French sources tonight reported a battle in Belgium involving between 1500 and 2000 tanks.