ON WESTERN FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 November 1939, Page 7

ON WESTERN FRONT

ARTILLERY ACTION INCREASES ■ AIR OFFENSIVE EXPECTED' [BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, October 30. Renewed activity is reported from the Western Front, where operations by contact units have been intensified, and there has been increased local artillery action. French chaser and reconnaissance aircraft have been very active in the Moselle-Saar region, according to a Luxemburg report. Before this there was a lack of activity because of bird weather.

The British Army is expecting greatly increased air activity, and is preparing itself for this form of warfare.

Thousands of British troops on the Western Front experienced their first air-raid warning to-day. Anti-aircraft defences were quickly manned. No enemy aircraft were seen overhead, but distant gunfire was heard. The warning was sounded at midday, and lasted for an hour. A German ’plane was brought down behind the British lines. AN ALGERIAN HERO LONDON, October 30. An unknown hero is being sought by the Royal Air Force. He is an Algerian soldier, who rescued a British pilot forced down in no man's land. The pilot was dazed and shaken by his experience, but the Algerian, braving a hail of bullets, crawled out and brought him to safety. BRISK ENGAGEMENTS. (Recd. November 1, 1.15 p.m.) PARIS, October 31. Anti-aircraft gunners shot down at least one German plane, 100 miles within France. Aerial reconnaissance units are active on both sides. Seven French flights, made into enemy territory, returned safely with valuable information.

A communique states: Brisk land engagements occurred in the Moselle Valley, near Luxembourg, near Saarbrucken, and round the Blies River.

LEAVE FOR BRITISH TROOPS

LONDON, October 31.

First leave for the British troops has provisionally been fixed for early in December, but dates have not been fixed yet.

BRAUCHITSCH RESIGNS?

PARIS, October 31

“Le Petite Parisien” publishes an uncorroborated report that General von Brauchitsch has resigned as Com-mander-in-Chief of the German Army. A Berlin message states that the reports of General von Brauchitsch’s resignation are denied. The French Press prints, with all reserve, reports that. Dr. Schacht and Herr Hugenberg have fled from Germany. Herr von Reichenau is reported to be succeeding Herr Halder as Chief in Command of the Operations Council.

GERMAN COMMUNIQUE

LONDON, October 31

According to a Berlin message, a High Command communique states: There has been a week of artillery fire and patrol activity, between the Moselle and the Palatinate Forest. Nothing special has occurred in other sectors. Four enemy planes were brought down.

ENEMY CASUALTIES

BERLIN, October 31

The Supreme Command states that the total losses due to enemy activitj' on the Western front from September 3 to October 17. since when they have not. materially altered, were 196 dead. 356 wounded, and 114 missing. Eleven aeroplanes were lost.

NO OFFENSIVE BEFORE SPRING

COPENHAGEN. October 31

The “Politiken’s” Berlin correspondent says: German military experts consider it would be madness to launch an offensive before the Spring. Meanwhile, Germany will exert the greatest diplomatic activity, in order to build up supplies.

CONGRESSMEN WARNED

WASHINGTON, October 30

The German-American National Alliance. describing itself as a “patriotic body of nationally organised American citizens,” has circularised Congressmen warning them of its opposition to the re-election of members who sunport the repeal of the arms embargo.