OFFENSIVE IN SAAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1939, Page 7

OFFENSIVE IN SAAR

FRENCH CLAIM SUCCESSES Pressure Gradually Increasing [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] MONTREAL, September 6. The Associated Press of America Paris correspondent says that French attacks during Tuesday night are officially reported to aye been concentrated in the north-east, where the German Saar les, between the Rhine and the Moselle. To-day’s communique was the first to claim gains, as contrasted with the previous reports of mere local successes. * This is interpreted to mean that French infantry, covered by artillery, have eliminated outlying German blockhouses at several points. 1 While there is no indication of a large-scale offensive, it was apparent that the French are gradually increasing their pressure. Evidence of the increased activity of enemy aircraft is to be seen in various sectors. z

“NO MAN’S LAND” NEW YORK, September 5. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of America says: The left wing of the French Army has increased its pressure on the German northern flank along a front 100 miles in length. The French Army has issued a communique which states: “Our troops are in contact with the enemy everywhere along the frontier between the Rhine and Moselle Rivers?’ (The Moselle is a tributary of the Rhine). It is recalled that the permanent fortification along the French border of the Rhine “is here and there.” The main French attack was to the southward at “Burgundy Gates” where an artillery barrage has been concentrated. The surmise is fully warranted that the long and relatively narrow tract between the Maginot Line and the West Wall has already become a sort of “No Man’s Land,” and is being pounded with shells of all calibres from both sides. I

The Paris correspondent of the “New York Times" says: It is believed that the Germans are meeting with such a resistance in Poland that they will be compelled, henceforth, to act methodically. Thus the main armies on both the western fronts are not likely to come to grips for some time. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says it is pointed out that if official information is so far vague, it must be. remembered that both sides are based on heavily-fortified positions unlike 1914, when the war began as a manoeuvre movement in comparatively open country. However, the massive French land forces are proceeding with a smoothness matching the genTeal mobilisation. The Air Force and' Navy are simultaneously active, each in its own fashion. \ ALLIED AIR-RAIDS ‘ . (Recd. Sept. 7, 9.45 a.m.) - PARIS, Sept. 6. Unofficial despatches report a French tank advance towards Saarbrucken, and raids by 300 Allied aero-

planes, in the Rhineland industrial seci tor. Despatches indicated the penetration of the German lines at Saarbrucken, and an aerial bombardment of Aix-la-Chappelle. ' RHINELAND BOMBED. I —- ■ . ' (Recd. September 7, It p.m.) PARIS, September 6. ’ The French attacks last night were concentrated on the .north-east frontier, near the Saar Basin. The newspaper “Midi” states that. Allied aeroplanes heavily bombed the Rhineland industrial centres, mainly around Aix-la-Chapelle, otherwise Aachen. The “Midi” adds: In a despatch i from Brussels, it is stated that Eschweiller, near Aix-la-Chapelle, suffered heavily, in the raids. ■ •

ARTILLERY DUEL. (Recd. September 7, 1 p.m.) BRUSSELS, September 6. . To-day’s French army communique, recording local advances against the Siegfried Line, and observations elsewhere, indicates activity on the FrancoGerman frontier. L Newspaper correspondents at Luxembourg and Basle report a heavy artillery duel between the Maginot Line and Siegfried fortifications. It .was especially violent in the Moselle region, lasting all night. The reference to local gains in the French communique is interpreted to mean that the French, after an artillery barrage, crossed the frontier at various points, capturing outlying concrete pill-boxes. This .activity is seen as a move to draw Germany from Poland. A .later official statement says that the French have invaded German soil, but are encountering resistance “at all points.” STRASBOURG EVACUATED. PARIS, September 6. , Strasbourg (Alsace) is reported to have been completely emptied of civilians, before an artillery duel, which is expected shortly across the Rhine. The 175,000 inhabitants have moved to the interior.