FROM SEA TO ARGONNE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 137, 11 June 1940, Page 7

FROM SEA TO ARGONNE

ENORMOUS GERMAN LOSSES

PARI? AWAITS EVENTS CALMLY

'• (By Telegraph—Prew Association—Copyright.) (Received June 11, noon.) PARIS, Strae 10. French military quarters say that the position is being held despite redoubled German attacks, but there has been some . infiltration of tanks. It is emphasised that the French leaders remain masters of their manoeuvres, while the fatigue of the Germans and the deterioration of their material are beginning to weigh heavily on the decisions of the German staff, A radio commentator said that the Germans are making a tremendous effort to force the lines, but the method of attacking in successive waves is Involving them in enormous losses. The city is calmly preparing for any eventuality. The orderly evacuation of all business houses whose work can be conducted elsewhere, is progressing. - The military spokesman stated that at present, when General Weygand's order is to stand fast, the High Command has given a fresh order. It is important, seeing that the fighting has taken the character of a war of movement and that the enemy is on the look-out for even the slightest information, not to give in a commentary any more details than in the official, communiques. Three important points can be emphasised. The first is that the French front, with fluctuations in movements to the rear and the hunting of stray^enemy tanks, is being held from one end to the other from the coast to the Argonne. The commanders of the various forces'have retained a complete mastery of operations and manoeuvre. In the second place, the soldiers are fighting like Verdun heroes. Thirdly, the reference in General Weygand's order yesterday to^he last quarter of an hour is explained by the exceptional wear and tear which German material is undergoing. German tanks particularly require early repair. ' :. Paris has been placed in a state of defence. The permanent staffs of the Ministries were evacuated to the provinces yesterday and today. „ The outskirts of Paris were heavily bombed last night, particularly the railheads. The German High Command states:'' Our operations on the lower Seine, the Marne, and in the Champagne are progressing according to plan, and great successes have been achieved. All enemy counter-attacks failed. The struggle in many places has changed into a pursuit. Our air force successfully bombed staff headquarters, military barracks, troop concentrations, field positions, fortifications and marching columns aroand Rheims, also traffic points and road communications on the lower Seine and port and quay facilities at Cherbourg and Le Havre, where many ships were hit. The enemy yesterday test 91 planes. Five German planes $re missing.*'-- -