THE WEST FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1940, Page 5

THE WEST FRONT

FURTHER ATTACKS ON ALLIED POSITIONS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 17. The French Military Spokesman s aid the Allies have surrounded the German salient running from south of Sedan to a point north of Bethel, and then'back to Sambre. Fresh French units are arriving in the region. Germans, endeavouring to recapture the initiative, launched a fresh series of attacks at dawn, particularly aimed "at the British troops north of Sambre. The Rethei-Sedan salient is a little annoying, because the, Allies lost territory but strategically the Allies are in a good position. Fighting south of Sedan is extremelv violent. Manv Tillages have changed ha mis as much as five times. Belgian military circles informed the Associated Press—“ While the forts at I. .ieap and Namur are holding out. the Belgian Army has been engaged in constant battle since the first day of the invasion, and continues valiantly to defend its positions in hard fighting in conjunction with the Allies. For five full dajqs the Belgian Army has not had an hour’s rest. FRENCH REPORT. HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES. LONDON, May 18. The French official communique issued today at- Paris says:— The battle was continued on Thursday evening on the river (north-west of the River Meuse) and also in the region of the town of Retliel (on the River Aisne) south-west of Sedan and of Mezieres). The battle also continued on Thursday evening south of Sedan. In the above-mentioned area fighting was further continued on Thursday night. PARIS, May 17.:, The French official day communique issued at Paris says: The fighting in Belgium on Thursday evening and Thursday night has been less severe. LIEGE STILL STANDS. LONDON, May 17. The Brussels radio says: The lorts of Liege are still holding out. ON MAGINOT LINE. LONDON, May 16. There was heavy artillery fire iu the Vosges against the Maginot Dine. On the Rhine, the French fired on the German line. BERLIN, May 16. French long-range guns shelled the undefended town of Rastatt, where there are no military objectives. The Germans shelled Haguenau as a reprisal. COLOGNE BOMBED. BERLIN, May; 17. The German News Agency, reports: “Enemy ’planes bombed the city of Cologne o,n the night of Wednesday. One man was killed and anothei wounded. Some, houses were damaged. Most of the bombs dropped in fields. GERMAN CLAIM. OF IMMENSE CAPTURES. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN, May 17. A communique claims the Maginot Line has been pierced over a distance of about 62 miles south of Mauberge to the village of Carignan Dyle. The position pierced is south of Wavre. The north-eastern fort at, Namur was captured Twelve thousand prisoners have thus far 'been taken south-east of Sedan, including two generals French tank ur/its were defeated west of Dinant, and the German air force is pursuing the Allied forces fleeing westward.