THE WEST FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

A BOMBARDMENT ON MAIN FORTIFICATIONS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 12 noon). PARIS, September 25. French artillery begun a direct bombardment on the main fortifications of the Siegfried Line in an attempt to blast the Germans from their positions. The Germans are replying but are failing* to make direct hits on the advanced positions. The cannonades have reached the intensity of the great bombardments of the last war. Hundreds of big guns are massed on both sides of the front. A Nazi mechanised detachment made a surprise encroachment on French territory in a quiet part of the Vosges sector French shock-troops took the offensive in the Saar and Palatinate regions ) and claim to have annihilated several German groups. The French consider the German armies are not as powerful as in 1914 in numbers and fighting ability, although there is no lack of equipment. AN AIR~RAID REPORTED ON FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (Received this day at 9 a.m.) NEW 10RK, September 24. The American Press correspondent at Romansliorn, Switzerland, report- ( ed an air raid, either by French or British put out of action the Friedrichshafen zeppelin works, recently converted into an aeroplane motor factory. The explosions could be heard here. FRENCH REPORT. PARIS, September 25. A 'French official communique states: There lias been a local improvement in Freach positions The enemy artillery is active southeast of Zweiurucken. it is reported from Brussels that an explosion lias occurred in under-ground tunnels in the Siegfried Line near Minden and that it caused extensive Uamage, homing up work on the line. ' The paper “Be Jour” declares: Poland lias allowed France and Britain to mobilise their armies in peace. Their forces are now ready, and all in sucli a complete and perfect state of organisation that we begin the war in perfect order. GERMAN TROOP MOVEMENTS. NHW YORK, September 24. The Paris correspondent of the “New York:; Times” says: Basle reports state tlialj German troop movements continue north of rfasle. German ’planes frequently fly over the Swiss frontier. POLISH ARMY. CONSCRIPTED IN FRANCE. LONDON, September 25. The Paris correspondent of the British Associated Press says; The Polish Ambassador at Paris has ordered all Poles between the ages of 17 and 45 years, resident in France, to report by September 29, in readiness for compulsory service in the Polish Army which is eemg formed in France. The > Paris correspondent of the British United Press reports; Four hundred thousand Poles in France are believed to be affected by-the calling up order, issued by the Ambassador here.

BELGIAN PRECAUTIONS. FRONTIER FLOODED. NEW YORK, September 24. T*!e IVris correspondent of the “New York Times’' says: Military precautions continue to be taken by Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. It is confirmed that the flood system of Belgium is now operating at points near the Bel-gian-German border. It is stated in Belgium officially that this is experimental, but it is admitted that the dykes were opened for four and that special troops have been testing Belgium’s water defences. READY & CONFIDENT. (Received this day at 10.50 a m.). PARIS, Sept. 25. M. Millerand, War Minister in 1911. says he is completely confident, as France stood alone in 1914, whereas to-day Britain is quite ready.*■ REPORTS FROM GERMANY. PARIS, Sept. 25. The Paris “Soir“ states a long con ference was held between Hitler, Goering and Ribbentrop. It was reported that German ’planes in eastern centres needed repairs and overhaul. Ribbentrop was most impatient, and favoured an offensive through Belgium and Holland. A DENIAL. BERLIN, Sept. 25. ! An official German news agency say j the suggestions that Germany it planruing an advance through Holland and • Belgium, is a flagrant falsification, bound to give rise to suspicion that i such intentions exist in the enemy’s camp, and that a. pretext is moro.y sought to carry them out.