POLISH STRATEGY

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1939, Page 7

POLISH STRATEGY

Swift Counter Attacks WHILE SHORTENING THEIR LINE (Received September 6, 5.51 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. “The Times” Warsaw correspondent states, despite the heavy pressure on them in Silesia the Poles have now taken the initiative in a number of 'places. This action is fully in accordance with the Poles’ expected plan ot | operations. The Polish strategy provides for swift counter-attacks where the invasion is weakest, not giving the enemy time to maintain heavy concentrations at any single point. I Once the Poles are fighting on a [shorter line of defence, namely, that formed by the Vistula River and the Bug River, they should be able to use their cavalry and their specialised for-' ces to the best advantage. | The Germans’ difficulties while advancing into the enemy country are already amply displayed, even in Silesia, where they had counted on the support of the German-speaking population. On the contrary, the 'population there is so restive that the German commanders are unable to send up adequate numbers of troops Ito the front line.

STOUT POLISH RESISTANCE. (Received September 6, 7.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 5. The Paris correspondent of the “New York Times,” states that the Germans are meeting in Poland with such resistance that they will be compelled henceforth to act methodically.

Fall of Warsaw NEAR AT HAND. (Received September 5, 7.25 p.m.) WARSAW, September 5. The fortifications of Warsaw are reported to have fallen into German hands, after fierce fighting. The Poles are now retreating southeastwards in an orderly fashion. The German-Hungarian and SlovakHungarian frontiers have been closed. GERMAN PLANES. AHEAD OF THE ADVANCE. (Received September 6, 7.35 p.m.) BERLIN, September 5. German planes raided the area between Warsaw and Lodz (30 miles south of Warsaw) and they shot down eleven Polish planes which went up to engage them. ■ Corridor Cut BUT POLES NOT SUBDUED. IN NORTHERN SECTOR. (Received September 6, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. The “Times” reviewing the rapid developments that have occurred on the Polish Front points out that the Corridor has been cut. This, it say», does not imply, however, that’ ths Poles farther north have been subdued, nor that their resistance east of Vistula River is slackening. No other result in the Corridor was possible, because the Corridor is so narrow :that the range of powerful artillery firing from either flank could almost 'span it. The open plains here have afforded the Poles no natural defensive positions. Polish Official Report STAND IN SOUTH-WEST. WITHDRAWAL IN NORTH. (Received September 6, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 1 6. A Polish communique states: — “On the South-Western Front the enemy was repelled, and his forces held in check. “On the Northern Front, overwhelming enemy forces, strongly supported by tanks, have reached a line from Ciechanow to Plonsk (north of Warsaw). “Enemy pianos have continued to harass our entire operations, bombarding our towns, and transport columns, and our infantry. “Polish planes have effectively bombarded armoured car detachments. CONFISCATED BY NAZIS. POLISH PROPERTY AT DANZIG.

(Received September 6. 11.55 p.m.) DANZIG, September 5. The Danzig property of the Polish State ana Polish institutions in Danzig have been confiscated under a German decree, as has the Slovak property of Doctor Szathmary, the Slovak Minister at Warsaw. It is said that this is due to Dr. Szathmary’s broadcast calling on the Slovaks to resist the Germans.