ON WESTERN FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1939, Page 8

ON WESTERN FRONT

GERMAN PATROLS ACTIVE

[by CABLE —PRESB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

LONDON, December 7.

The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that French advance positions have withstood repeated shocks from German patrols over the entire front. The Germans faltered in the face of intense Are and started entrenching in no-man’s-land, but were dislodged by artillery and infantry. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says that the return of fine weather has led to renewed activity. German patrols were more numerous. French battalions were also active and made several raids. They secured valuable information. The French are strengthening the defences from the Swiss frontier to the sea coast near Dunkirk, in many places duplicating, the Magfhot Line.

ARTILLERY DUEL.

PARIS, December 8

Three German platoons in the Wissembourg sector, yesterday, endeavoured to capture prisoners.

A violent artillery duel ended entirely in our favour , not a .single Frenchman being lost, says a commentator.

German reconnaisseurs flew over eastern France at a height of 25,000 feet towards Paris, but failed to reach the capital. ■> THREAT TO HOLLAND

LONDON, December 7. The Amsterdam correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that Queen Wilhelmina visited the flooded area in central Holland*. Neutral reports from Berlin strike a warning note. There is every indictaion, that the Germans are concluding that- the advantages of an attempt to over-run Holland would outweigh the, disadvantages, though Germany would probably wait for more suitable weather.

Holland is unlikely to continue to buy from Germany, as the stricter Allied blockade will prevent the disposal of goods overseas, for which reason a German occupation of the Low Countries will provide at least superficial aid to Herr Hitler’s counterblockade.

allies retain initiative.

NEW YORK, December 7.

Commenting on a French-authoris-ed commentary issued in Paris to-day, Mr. Archambault, the Paris correspondent of the “New York Times,” says: “It means, firstly, that the Maginot Line now serves fully a double purposed It is a bulwark to withstand the enemy, and a pivot on which to ' manoeuvre. Also, what is infinitely more, important, the Allied High Command, despite the strategic withdrawal that was made oh October 11 last, did not mean to . relinquish the initiative. This confirms the indications that, this war is likely to end only by a decisive battle.”

He'adds: “The psychological effect of to-day’s announcement must be great.”

“WOODBINES” FOR TROOPS

RUGBY, London S

Lord Nuffield has placed an order for “Woodbine” cigarettes, for distribution among the men serving in the Army and Air Force in France, and on board His Majesty’s ships.