BERLIN VERSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20261, 31 May 1940, Page 5

BERLIN VERSION

CAPTURE CLAIMED GENERAL OF FRANCE RINGING OF ARMIES BATTLE END IN SIGHT ATTACKS ON WARSHIPS (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 31, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 30. The official German news agency to-night claimed that General Prioux, commanding the First French Army in Flanders, and other high French officers were taken prisoner at Steenvorde, east of Cassel. The German High Command states: “The big battle of Flanders and Artois is drawing to an end with the annihilation of the French and British. After yesterday's attacks the British Expeditionary Force was completely dissolved and left all war material behind. The Germans advancing along the Cassel-Poperinghe line from the west met forces from the east. They encircled strong enemy groups. We repulsed enemy tank attacks on the Somme.”

Warships and Troopers The German High Command also claims that three Allied warships and 16 troopships were sunk by bombs in the Dunkirk area and also that a cruiser Avas sunk by anti-aircraft fire and 31 more ships Avere seriously damaged.

The Germans claim that 89 Allied planes were brought down. Fifteen German planes are reported missing. It is further claimed that German planes operated in the coastal area and the sea between Dunkirk and Ostend and attacked British warships and troopships attempting to embark the remnants of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. The sluice gates were destroyed and the harbour docks emptied of water. It is alleged in Berlin that several air raids over west Germany last night were directed against unimportant non-military objectives.