THE WEST FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1940, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

LIVELY CLASH

GERMANS RETREAT IN DISORDER

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) PARIS, March 18.

A commentor. reports a lively engagement west of the Vosges in which three hundred Germans were engaged. Heavy French machine-gun. and • artillery fire forced tlieni to .retreat in disorder, with heavy casualties; ; many dead. •“ 7 •'

CREEP THROUGH FRUSTRATED. . (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) PARIS, March 18. A day communique states:—“Our infantry and artillery fire frustrated an enemy attempt to creep through to the (Bast Moselle.”

SEVERE LOSSES.

LARGEST CLASH OF WAR.

(Received this d«y at 11.45 a.m.) PARIS, Majrch 18. The Germans suffered severe losses in the largest attack on the Western front since the outbreak of the war. Three engagements occurred. . .’Firstly the French at dawn, found Germans installed in their advance posts, which were not normally manned at night. French patrols attacked and forced the Germans back. . Secondly, the Germans launched three hundred men against the patrol in the Vosges, after which the French repulsed waves of Nazi droops attempting to capture the advanced position. The attackers left many dead. Two Frenchmen are reported missing. Thirdly, a filtering attempt east of the Moselle, encountered severe cross', fire, after which the French retook all the positions.

GERMAN REPORT

(Received this dav at 11.30 a.m.)

PARIS, March 18

The official agency in Berlin says the French lost five killed, and eight taken prisoner in this encounter. French batteries participating in an intensified Strafing wore dealt with.

The High Command says the Air Force reconnoitred England and France. Planes attacked armed merchantmen and sank an outpost boat.

BRITISH LJUAVJi DELAYED

(Per British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 17

According to a War Office announcement, owing vo unforseen delay, men coming home on leave from the B.E.F. have been temporarily retarded. Normal leave is to be resumed as early as possible.

ALLIED INACTIVITY.

RUGBY, March 17

Lord Samuel, speaking yesterday, said that the question was sometimes heard why there had been no Allied' attack on the Western Front. It was well to remember that a battering ram received as hard blows as it gave. 'lhe Allies held the initiative, which eoult be used in more than one .theatre, and .meantime, the economic pressure, oi Germany continued, with relentlessly cumulative effect.