ON WESTERN FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1939, Page 7

ON WESTERN FRONT

NAZI POSITION WEAKENED « POLISH ATTACK A BLUNDER [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, October 4. The military correspondent of the “New York Times” (Mr. G. H. Archambault) in a message from Paris says: “The Rhine-Moselle situation is such that the question is not ‘Will the Germans engage in general battle, but can they, with reasonable hope of success?’ “It is competent for the French to reply in the negative. The reasons can be summariesd as follow: — “(1) Strategic —Because of the uncertainty about British and French action the Germans first blundered in attacking Poland, which was the weaker opponent, and thus giving the stronger opponents time to mobilise. A concentrated, lightning attack against France, instead of Poland, might have altered the situation entirely. Now, instead of entering the West overwhelmingly superior, the day can be sighted when the Germans may be inferior. “(2). Man-power —Hitherto the British and French losses have been negligible. It is believed the German casualties in Poland represent a rifle strength of 12 divisions. The maximum force available on the Western Front is estimated at 100 divisions, apart from armoured cars, and an actual striking force of 50 to 60 divisions, whereas the Kaiser had 120 divisions at first.

“(3) Possible Action Zones —The possibilities of an offensive use of man-power are limited to an attack on the Rhine-Moselle front, an attack on the line between Lauterburg and the Swiss frontier, or an attack through one or more of the neutral countries which have mobilised and which are all stronger than they were in 1914.” Mr. Archambault adds: “A frontal attack on the Maginot Line would be very coptly and probably inconclusive. A ‘blitzkrieg’ (lightning war) was predicted on the preponderance of material, but the Polish campaign has reduced that preponderance and also the proportion of German raw materials which, coupled with transportation difficulties, leads technicians to estimate that each German combatant will require 10 to 12 men employed in the rear, compared with the Allies’ requirement of five to seven men.

“(4) Aviation —The French are very gratified .at the excellence of their aeroplanes, which are fully equal to the German Messerschmidts. An aeroplane’s war life is very brief, and six replacements are needed a year. It is doubted whether Germany is in a position to maintain her strength at 6000 aeroplanes under war conditions. It is doubted whether German stocks would stand the strain.

“(5) Transportation—The German railway reports show a lamentable picture of a dearth of rolling stock and unrepaired lines.”. WITH BRITISH IN FRANCE. DESPATCHES FROM THE FRONT [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. October 16, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY. October 15. The newspapers now print long despatches from their own representatives attached to the British Expeditionary Force, describing visits to the British Army in its battle positions in the sector allotted to it. Although the positions in the fortified zone are already prepared and are very strong, the correspondents reports on the activity of the British troops in further reinforcing the defences. Most of the correspondents themselves served in France, between 1914 and 1918, and the resemblance of today’s scenes to those of last war is common. Several writers thought the differences noted are due to the progress of mechanisation, on the one hand, and, on the other, to the much more solid defences of steel and concrete which now constitute the line.

ELABORATE STRONG-POINTS LONDON, October 15. “The Times” correspondent on the Western front states that the British troops will hold a front several miles long. More units are moving up continuously, to relieve the French, extend and deepen trenches, aid the excavating machines, survey sites for pillboxes and construct anti-tank traps. The British have taken over an elaborate system of strong points, some being minature cement-built fortresses, banked with earth, and housing guns of various calibres, capable of presenting by interlocking fire a continuous curtain of metal. CONVOYS FOR TROOPS. FRENCH NAVY PARTICIPATES (Recd. October 16, 11.50 a.m.) PARIS, October 15. The lull on the Western front continues. It is now revealed that 100 French warships, including submarine-chasers, destroyers, and torpedo-boats, participated in convoying the British troops to France. The newspaper “Excelsior,” states that the original estimate of 32 divisions will be considerably exceeded. More British planes will take up war positions, and fresh batteries, fully supplied with ammunition, are being landed daily. FOG AND RAIN. ENEMY ACTIVITY REDUCED

PARIS, October 14. Fog and rain superseded the sunny weather on the Western Front, reducing the former slight activity to a minimum, and confining German operations to resultless patrols. Well-informed military opinion points out that it is getting very late in the year for major operations and that low-flying attacks such as the German Air Force made in Poland will not now be possible. If there is a major German attack shortly it means that Herr Hitler cannot wait until the Spring, while at the same time the Allies are getting stronger all the time. The French wireless announced that fog and rain were impeding operations on the Western Front. The night was quiet except for reciprocal

artillery action east of the Moselle. An official French communique states: “Enemy patrols were active to the west of the Saar as well as to the south of Zweibrucken, but they were repelled. Fairly active artillery fire is reported south-west of Saarbrucken.”

Front-line dispatches say the Germans are massing tanks and heavy artillery between the Rhine and the Moselle in sufficient numbers to launch an offensive. Experts interpret yesterday’s lull as meaning that a push is imminent. The French have been very successful in locating and rendering ineffective mines left by the Germans. When, in the early days of the war, the French occupied villages from which the Germans had retreated, the enemy left mines that exploded when cupboard doors were opened or loose pailings moved. FURTHER RAIDS REPULSED PARIS, October 15. This morning’s communique stated: Resultless enemy raids by patrols occurred between the Moselle and Saar Rivers ( during Saturday night. French reconnaissance units have been active on the whole front. There has been reciprocal artillery action west from Saarlouis. “SLIGHTLY HARRASSING FIRE.” (Recd. Oct. 16, 10.45 a.m.). BERLIN, October 15. A German High Command communique states: There has been' slightly harrassing enemy artillery fire in the West. An enemy plane was brought down at Birkenfeld on Friday. There was no activity of any importance on either side yesterday. RAIN STILL FALLING. (Received October 16. 1.50 p.m.) RUGBY, October 15. A French official communique states: The weather is misty, and rain is falling. There was no great activity on the front during the day. Northwest of Wissembourg, scouting parties obtained the results aimed at.