EVERY YARD DISPUTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 139, 13 June 1940, Page 10

EVERY YARD DISPUTED

Violent Attacks by Nazi Advance Guard

LONDON, June 12. ' The Germans are within, 20 miles of Paris and have crossed the Marne. Today has seen no slackening' of the German pressure along- the whole French front, except on the far eastern flank between the Aisne and the Meuse. Every yard of French soil is being defended with desperate valour., Nevertheless the German menace has developed still further today. Advances north, west, and east of the.capital are reported in tonight's French communique. The point at which the Germans are nearest to Paris is at the twin towns of Persan and Beaumont on either side of the Oise, less than 20 miles due north of the heart of Paris. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrijrftt.J (Received June 13, 2.15 p.m.) . LONDON, June 12. The French night communique states: "The battle continues with the same violence on the whole front. Between the sea and the River Oise the enemy accentuated his efforts on the Seine from Rouen to Vernon in an attempt to extend the bridgehead he succeeded in establishing to the south of the river. He is seeking to push to Evreux and also Paey-sur-Eure, but we are vigorously holding him. ... "The enemy has also launched reconnaissance detachments on the north bank of the Seine, in the direction of Caudebec, which is between Rouen and Le Havre. "On the lower Oise the enemy made contact with our forces in the region of Persan and Beaumont. Enemy advance guards began violent attacks in the regions of Crepy-en-Valois and Betz. . "On the Marne in the neighbourhood of Chateau Thierry enemy masses, advancing from the north, succeeded in throwing some troops to the south bank. "In the region of Reims new enemy tank and motorised forces engaged in the battle. An entire mechanised corps, comprising three or four armoured divisions and two or three motorised divisions,, has now entered the struggle.. After bitter fighting our divisions here withdrew step by step to the mountain of Reims." . • - . (British Official Wireless.) (Received June 13, 2 p.m.) RUGBY, June 12. A French communique states: "Information , obtained from many prisoners captured north-east of Reims indicates that the, enemy has sustained very heavy losses from counter-attacks by our mechanised units and repeated bombardments by the air. force. Certain of our squadrons .returned five times to give battle during, the course of the day. The enemy did not renew his attacks between the Aisne and the Meuse."