GERMAN ARMIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 134, 7 June 1940, Page 7

GERMAN ARMIES

Allied Front Holds

ANTI-TANK TACTICS EFFECTIVE

Some Penetration, But Without Danger

{U.P.A. {md Official Wireless.)

(Received June 7, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 6.

Information available in London this morning regarding the progress of the battle on the Somme and the Aisne is meagre, and adds little to that contained in the latest French communique. German attacks have been delivered on both sides of Amiens and in the neighbourhood of ChaunySoisson area. Armoured vehicles are reported in all these areas, but it is not yet possible to estimate their strength, nor is it possible to say whether this is the main attack.

The German tactics appear to be the same as before, namely, trampling everything in trying to find a soft spot and in preparation for pushing everything through when it is found. The Germans have made some progress, but the French defences are in great depth and nothing has occurred that could be described as penetration. Reports reaching London from Paris indicate that the French authorities, while not dissatisfied with the military position, emphasise that it is yet top early in the battle to give rise for either optimism or pessimism. The French military spokesman described the day as "not unsatisfactory" and described the new anti-tank tactics as "working." He said that arrangements had been made to ensure that German tanks were unable to obtain French petrol, and consequently a certain degree of penetration could be allowed without much danger. He emphasised, however, that the battle was only just beginning and that the full German strength was by no means yet engaged.

General Weygand has adopted new methods to combat the German tank warfare. Tanks advancing through openings in the line encountered successive "support points" like field fortifications. Trie first points were armed with anti-tank guns .- on the banks of numerous canals and streams, and behind them were gun nests at crossroads and on the high ground. Hidden artillery further behind stopped any tanks which succeeded in getting that far. \ ;V'V >< BATTLE RESUMED AT DAWN. The French day communique stated: "The battle was resumed at dawn. Enemy pressure was particularly marked south of the lower Somme 9 where a slight withdrawal of advanced elements occurred. On the whole, we maintained our positions on the rest of the front which was attacked." > • The French military spokesman stated: ''The battle was resumed this morning with the same intensity, and has even been extended on the two wings. The Germans, in addition to yesterday's three thrusts in the. regions of Amiens, Peronne, and Ailette, attacked on the lower Somme and launched a heavy artillery bombardment ' in the Champagne, which seems like preparations for an attack. The new French system of anti-tank defences on the whole is successful, and nearly all the support points have held. There were a number of destroyed German tanks behind the French front last night which had succeeded in penetrating the defences, but they were not followed by supporting units. -

A correspondent of "The Times" with the French forces says that General Weygand'g system of elastic defence for combating the German armoured units is succeeding so admir*bly that bitter tears must be being shed about Sedan, where the French line attempted to retreat before the German armoured forces instead of letting them pass through, after which the French could have re-formed and dealt with the German infantry.

It is officially stated in Paris that German tanks advanced five or six miles at several points without penetrating the Weygaud Line. Twenty-five German tanks were destroyed at Chaulnes, which is the deepest advance made. The French spokesman said that the French anti-tank guns are proving highly destructive. Germans were caught in a labyrinth of fire and there was no choice for them but to stop or push forward. Then French machine-gunners halted German supporting elements, namely, motorcyclists and mechanised infantry. Those tanks which were separated from the supports continued to advance, even far into the French rear, were attacked by a specially-equipped corps, and, lacking support, were destroyed. The enemy at dawn today on the lower Somme pushed forward great numbers of tanks, suggesting that the principal effort would be made today in this sector. French advance posts withdrew, but die i movement was. purely tactical. The Germans on the other wing to the right of Ailette and Chemin dcs Dames launched an artillery bom-1 bardment with guns of all calibre' in the neighbourhood of Rethel. The spokesman added that the Germans are employing smoke shells on a vast scale, the battlefield being covered with thick acrid smoke, hampering air reconnaissance and screening the German shock troops.

The battle in the air was as violent as on land- The spokesman referred to heavy German raids in the Saar region which the French repulsed by counter-attacks. Germans who had surrounded a French outpost were forced to retire.

The Paris correspondent of the British United Press states that the French captured a bridgehead on the Somme in the region of Peronne after a fierce counter-attack. The Paris radio warns the populace not to be anxious about measures in Paris and elsewhere and

issues a warning against the possible landing of parachutists and troop planes.

The Germans claim that their armies have thrust into the heart of France and that the enemy are retreating at all points, their lines having, been pierced at Amiens, and on the Ailette rivulet.

• A German communique states: "The operations begun on June 5 are proceeding according to plan. Our troops everywhere have gained ground to the south-west. We have increased the number of prisoners taken at Dunkirk to 58,000 and captured war materials which are beyond estimation. Our air force yesterday bombed troop concentrations marching in columns behind the enemy front and also attacked important aerodromes in central France and the military and merchant harbour at Cherbourg."