HITLER’S CLAIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1940, Page 5

HITLER’S CLAIMS

OF GREAT SUCCESS. OX ALL FRONTS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright). (Received this day at 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 21. A German High Command communique from Hitler’s headquarters I states the greatest offensive of all time is now having its first operational success, after individual tactical success. The Ninth French Army, which aimed to maintain communications on the Meuse from Sedan to Namur, is defeated and- scattered and Giraud and staff taken prisoner. _ , German divisions, are pouring into the breaches made by the German’s attack. At their head, tank corps and motorised troops have taken Arras, .amiens and Abbeville.'All the French, Belgian and British armies northward of the Somme have been driven hack to the Channel coast. Our troops in Belgium are attacking the enemy who gathered to coun-ter-attack eastward of, Ghent, and southward on the Schelde. Enemy attempts to find a way out from Valencinnes have failed. I On the southern flank we recaptured .Bethel. Our aerial attacks against British naval units at Narvik were most successful. A battleship, probably of the Resolution Class, was twice directly hit with bombs. A heavy cruiser was also hit. Fires arid explosions were seen on both warships. Two other warships and three merchantmen were Seriously damaged by bombs. During the night of May 2] between Dover and Calais, German planes sank with bombs, six transports and a tanker; of a total tonnage of 43,000, and severely damaged four ships of a tonuage of approximately 1.3,000. During a reconnaissance off the Fiencli const, German planes seriously damaged a destroyer, the naval tanker Niger, and the freighter Raven, all French; also two other tankers. The Allies yesterday lost 47 planes, and lo of ours are missing.