PHASE ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 5

PHASE ON THE WESTERN FRONT

RAIN HAMPERING OPERATIONS

GERMANS MAINTAIN INTENSE ACTIVITY

POSSIBLE OLIVE BRANCH FOR FRANCE

HINTED PLOT TO SEPARATE ALLIES

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 21, 12 noon.) LONDON, Oct. 20

Reports from Paris state that rain continues to hamper operations on the Western Front where activity has settled down to the reorganisation phase. Intense work was noticed behind the Berman lines where a tremendous amount of war material and numerous army corps are being assembled. The Rhine is in high Hood and torrential rain has held up operations on the greater part of the front. The Germans are working feverishly to check the rising waters. The French, defences are still secure.

A French communique confirms that the Germans launched an attack at a point four miles cast of the Moselle and .18 miles east of the Saar. French cavalry units, supported by infantry, remained to keep contact after the bulk of the divisions involved in the September offensive were withdrawn. They finally withdrew in accordance with orders. The movement was successfully effected on the whole front at a depth amounting to six miles, at certain points. Battle Front on Planned Lines.

The units involved took a stand on a pre-arranged line far in advance of the permanent fortifications. They suffered only the slight loss of one detachment, consisting of an officer and 50 men who were outflanked but defended gallantly.

The battle front is at present stabilised on planned lines. The communique added: “All was quiet during the night. Rainy weather continued. There was patrol activity by both sides at many places.”

A further French communique states that quiet was re-established after clashes south-east of Saarbrucken. Elsewhere there was minor artillery activity and scouting.

The Berlin correspondent of the Copenhagen papers, Bcrlingskc Tidcnde and National Tidende declare that Herr Hitler is planning a new move to divide the Allies. It is predicted that the operations on the Western Front may he suspended as a preliminary to a separate peace offer to France. Meanwhile the war against Britain is to he prosecuted with increasing ferocity.