HEAVY RAIN IN WEST

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 7

HEAVY RAIN IN WEST

WARLIKE OPERATIONS IMPEDED RHINE FLOODS SIEGFRIED LINE [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] ■ i (Recd. October 20, 11.30 a.m.) PARIS, October 19. , Heavy rain is impeding operations on the Western Front. The Rhine has flooded the Siegfried Line, where the German bank is two feet lower than the French. The clanking of pumps was heard throughout the night from the German fortifications. The water is licking the lower works of the Maginot Line, but the main casemates are well clear.

FRENCH ARMY READY.

ORGANISATION COMPLETED PARIS. October 19. “Le Petite Parisien’s” military expert M. Morice, to-day reviewed the first six weeks of the war. He says;. “After the German attacks, the French lines have been organised on a more soldierly basis than ever. Constant skirmishing has served to reveal and rectify weaknesses regarding the French reserves and materials. ..“Despite the ebb and flow of the fighting, the Saar towns of Saarbrucken, Saarlouis, and Merzig have remained under French fire. “ It must be understood, moreover, that certain conquered territory remains in our hands, and notably the Warndt Forest. The enemy has strained to the utmost in order to test our points of resistance, but has felt their solidity. “The French formations are now less scattered. Greater density has been obtained both in length and depth.

“The French liaison between the infantry and the artillery is perfect. This has been shown particularly during the 15 days leading up to the German attack on Monday, when numerous batteries, which previously had been unused, participated in the. repulsing of the Germans. “The entire French Army is now revealing the benefits of extensive training. The enemy has not achieved any decisive success throughout the first six weeks of the war, despite colossal efforts.”

TOMMIES UNDER FIRE PARIS, October 19. The Paris Press, in recent days, has been publishing stirring accounts of the first activities of British troops on the Western Front. The “Excelsior” has an article on its front page, headed "The Tommies have received their Baptism of Fire.” The article stated: The advance guard of the British forces, numbering 30,000 are with 32 Divisions who are fighting on the Rhine front. The “Excelsior,” in a leading article says: We know the spirit of our friends from across the sea. We realise fully that war is repugnant to them, but they will take their share of the risks and of the glory like our own men, and with the same courage and heroism. ‘ ; GERM AN COMMUNIQUE. FRENCH SUCCESS MINIMISED.

(Recd. October 20, noop;) BERLIN, October 19. A High Command communique announces that the first phase of the fighting on the -Western Front has ended, with- the • withdrawal of the French over the frontier, between the River Saar and the Hornbach-Bitsch Road. There is only local artillery and reconnaissance activity elsewhere. It is claimed that Germany has lost 11 planes on the Western Front since the commencement of the war, and that France and Britain have lost 60, including 12 British. The Germans took as prisoners 25 French officers and. 664 other ranks. The communique gives the German losses on the Western Front to October 17 at 196 dead, 356 wounded, and 114 missing, and declares that since October 9 no serious fighting has occurred. Generally, it minimises the French successes and the occupation of German territory. It admits that the Germans have not crosesd the French frontier. ■ “HIGHLY EXAGGERATED.” PARIS, October 19. The official radio commentator declares that the German claims are highly exaggerated. “The German communiques,” he said, “seem inflamed with the spirit of victory. They are ‘wishful thinking,’ and an attempt to influence neutral opinion.”

IN THE BRITISH LINES

. GREAT CONTRAST WITH 1914 —;— LONDON, October 19. “Notable changes distinguish the British Expeditionary Force of 1939 from that of 1914,” writes Reuter’s : war correspondent, after accompanying the Dukes of Windsor and Gloucester and Lord Gort (British Com-mander-in-Chief) on a tour of inspection of the British lines. “Although the British zone is alive ‘ with men and arms it is possible to drive throughout the area and scarcely to see any sign of activity. There is a complete absence of horses and mules. This absence has contributed to the effectiveness of the impression. Moreover columns of infantry are scarcely ever to be seen on the march. J No lines of cars ever give away the presence of the headquarters. “Journalists and novelists move among the fighting forces. Photograph- . ers, officials and artists are recording » the scenes. The cameramen are working continually. “The modern soldier, indeed, is learning something of film acting. Touring the lines, one often hears the following remarks: “Could you raise ; your rifle a little?” "Please do not look at the camera!” “Please repeat that!” * The 8.8. C. has also sent a team of ex- •; perts to the Front. Piles of records are .> now being made.

“The one-piece battle-dress has bro- ' ken down all sartorial distinction. It • also has done away with the necessity * of polishing buttons, as also with the * endless winding of putties. The offi- . cers off duty are now restorting to the ; wearing of forage caps as one of the ; few signs of rank.”

- A ROYAL INSPECTION. • (Recd. October 20, 10.30 a.m.) ’ RUGBY, October 19. - Correspondents with the British ( forces in-France report that a party of troops, hard, at work digging just • behind the British lines, had a big surprise, yesterday, when they found that" a party of officers had stopped to inspect their work. ■ They quickly recognised among the party the Com-mander-in-Chief (Lord Gort), the Duke of Windsor, and the Duke of Gloucester. s ’ The Duke of Windsor smiled at their obvious surprise, and went up and spoke with several of the men. The Royal brothers then made a thorough inspection of one of the pill-boxes held by the British in their sector of the line. AIR MINISTER’S VISIT. - . (Recd. October 20, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 19. Sir Kingsley Wood was the first Cabinet Member to visit the British sector of the Western Front. He saw an Army and Air component, and then drove to the Royal Air Force headquarters. He said: It is a tonic to see their cheerfulness, and their belief in their cause. An Air Ministry communique reveals that Sir Kingsley Wood went to France on October 18, and conferred with M. La Chambre and Lord Gort, establishing complete agreemeiit on ; all points. HERR HITLER’S DILEMMA. (Recd. October 20, 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 19. In an address at Schnectady, Lord Marley said: “If Herr Hitler attacks the Maginot Line, he is certain to suffer severe losses. These he cannot stand, and eventually he will be forced to ask for peace. If Herr Hitler, on the other hand, does not attack, he will be forced to answer to the . German people, to whom he promised victory.” FRENCH BOMBARDMENT (Recd. October 20, 1.45 p.m.) LUXEMBOURG, October 19. The French intensively bombarded the German lines in the vicinity of Perl.