GERMAN THRUST

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1940, Page 5

GERMAN THRUST

SERIOUS DANGER RUSHING UP ALLIED TROOPS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;. • LONDON, May 19. German armoured shock troops have further advanced westward on French soil in the Aisne-Sambre rivers sector during Saturday’s fighting in the great “Battle of the Bulge.” Although the French military spokesman said that the German effort seemed to be less violent, he described the day’s developments as “favourable on the whole.” The Germans appear to- have progressed about five miles west of Vervinsalso west of Avesnes toward the Upper Oise, and in the vicinity of Guise and Landrecies. 1 French reinforcements are continually arriving. According, to British correspondents, British units also are here being rushed up to meet the German advance. .It appears that the Germans are aoyr concentrating on a furious drive west- ' The new German-tactics of open warfare in the whole of the Aisne and Sambre Rivers sector prevent the formation df battle-lines. Therefore, the full effect of these German thrusts is not yet assessable. It is felt that, the full impact of 'vhe Allied rcinorcmients is broueht to bear, it will be difficult for the Germans to consolidate the ground that they have won in their lightning separate thrusts. The formation of a 'new Allied line in northern Belgium, west of Brussel has been carried out with complete success, according to the war correspondents with the British troops. The latter were weary after eight days of almost continuous movement, and r fi or s+nbbornlv holding their line They are now in a better position to meet the German push. Their shorter 1 line has given them greater defensive strength, although their mobility has drastically been red viced. There is no tendency here in London to minimise the serious nature of the »\llidd situation. A crumb of comfort is that the British and French Armies are vitually intact, and are veil equipped for defensive warfare. A FRENCH REPORT. j (Received this dav at 9.20 a.in.) PARIS, May 19. A day communique says the battle continues in the same region with the ■ same relentlessness. Our aviation during the night continued bombing the lear lines of the enemy. The Germans have reportedly begun to organise defensive positions in the Sedan region A SWISS REPORT. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) BASLE, May 19. The Germans have removed armoured | cars and light tanks from the immediate region of the Swiss frontier. AMERICANS LEAVE. ~GENOA. May 19. The liner Washington 'has left for New York, with eleven hundred Americans aboard. THREE SECTORS. IN GREAT BATTLE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, May 19. The War Ministry Spokesman cmphasised three distinct sectors in the great battle. Firstly, from Montemody to Rhine; secondly, from Montmedy to the region west of Laon; thirdly, moving or fluid part of the front from Ln<n to the sea. The first of those sectors is calm. Some fighting occurred in the second on May 18. but nothing of groat importance. The Germans made a number of attacks round Retliol. The French made some local attacks and recaptured some villages west of Retliol, and between Rethel and Jovian,

In the extreme north, the British, French and Belgian troops continue a strategic retreat, without undue pressure from the enemy. Yesterday the main battle was localised in the area from Guise to Landrecies. Here the engagements were numerous. and the Germans made violent

attacks with tanks, supported by planes and artillery. South of Guise and northwest of Loan the fighting was less violent. Gernians made a push with armoured columns j and unsupported detachments of those advanced in the direction of Sambrooiso Canal, southeast of Guise and some eighty miles northeast of Paris, j Fighting between Laon and Sedan was on a minor seale. with calm east of Sedan. Tlu> notation of Mnuh''”"o L , uncertain, but fighting appears in proj gross in the west fortress.