GERMAN VERSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 5

GERMAN VERSION

WON FIRST TRICK PRELIMINARY ONLY EXTENDING THE BREAK CLAIMS OF PROGRESS FIERCE FIGHTING (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 23, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. A British United Press message quotes a report that General Von Reichenau, commanding the Sixth German Army, told neutral journalists that the fighting so far entailed only preliminary encounters. “We have won the first trick, but have not yet met the main body of the Allied forces,” he said.

Berlin claims that the last Liege fort has surrendered. It is stated that the Allies are resisting hotly in the north. The French attacked near Valenciennes and the British attacked at Arras, but “were repulsed.”

A communique issued in Berlin by the German High Command to-day stated: “The German troops have extended the break through to the Channel towards St. Pol and Mon-treuil-sur-Mer. The air force successfully attacked port installations at Ostend, Dunkirk, Calais, Bulogne and Dieppe. The Allies are still offering strong resistance on the Scheldt. Allies “RepuiscC” “Our attack against the French at Valenciennes is proceeding. The fighting is fierce. Allied attempts to break through via Arras and west of Arras southwards were repulsed. Junkers aircraft in this sector assisted in repulsing British armoured units.. “We captured the Neufchateau forts. Twelve Allied officers and 500 men were taken prisoner. The air force set fire to the railway stations at Compiegne and Creil. The Allies lost 120 planes yesterday. Ten German planes are missing. In the Zeeland lighting, which ended on Sunday, 1600 French and 13,000 Dutch were taken prisoner. “Allied planes flew over the west of Germany to-day and dropped bombs at random. They failed to hit any military objectives. Two Allied planes were bought down.” Allies Over Germany An earlier Berlin report stated that waves of Allied bombers had been over Aachen early in the morning. They dropped a number of bombs. The .attacks were continued despite the fierce defence. The German radio alleges that the Allies are using dumdum bullets. The official German news agency reports that General Giraud, commander of the French 9th Army, was captured in a tank while touring the front to organise the French resistance. A Paris message states that the fate of General Giraud is not known. The French spokesman was unable to confirm or deny the reports of bis capture. He admitted that seme members of the general staff had been taken prisoner.