HEAVY TOLL BY ALLIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 167, 14 June 1940, Page 7

HEAVY TOLL BY ALLIES.

INTENSE RESISTANCE. FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK. LONDON, June 13. _ The French High Command this morning states that the battle continues on the whole front from the sea to the Argonne with the same intensity as yesterday, and the French arc unceasingly resisting the enemy drive, on both sides of the capital. On the whole the situation has changed little since last night, the communique says. By last night the Germans had been attacking at Beaumont and also at a. point 25 miles north-cast of Paris and some units had crossed the Marne near Chateau Thierry, 50 riiiles northeast of Paris. West of Paris German columns had crossed the Seine against vigorous resistance, and some detachments- were also operating between Rouen and Le Havre. The maximum effort by the Germans was made on the eastward front between Rli.eims and Montmedy. The Germans claimed to have captured Rheims.

Everywhere the ' Allies have been fighting magnificently and taking heavy toll of the enemy, though outnumbered. The military spokesman in Paris announced, that the French counter-attacked in the region of Beaumont and Person, twin towns on either side of the River Oise, less than 20 miles north ot Paris, and have advanced five miles. NEW SMOKESCREEN.

The News-Chronicle says that in phases of the fighting on the Western Front German smoke screens, which might he described as one of Hitler s secret weapons, have caused an artificial fog so thick that people are forced to use hand torches at midday. Tlie effect is different from an ordinary smoke screen, as it produces an evenly-distributed, lead-coloured log smelling slightly of sulphur and incense. It cuts off vision for a tew hundred yards and to a height ol several thousand feet, and leaves a black 6oot deposit. It is a formidable problem lor the troops, as they are unable to see their targets till they burst through at short range. . .

A French air communique says: “Our Air Forco in the last 24 hours has continued its magnificent efforts in the great battle. Our heavy ana light bombers have operated day and night against the immediate rear or the enemy, considerably embarrassing his movements. W-e have attacked convoys and assemblies of troops with bombs. , , , “Our heavy bombers have deeply penetrated enemy territory and bombed military objectives including factories and railways. Groups of our fighters have carried out many protective flights and have fought numerous combats against a numerically superior enemy.” , . Paris reports that anti-aircraft guns shot down the solitary ’plane which caused the air raid alarm 'in the Toulon region. It is officially announced that 30 civilians were killed and 30 wounded and seven soldiers wounded in Tuesday’s raid. ALLIED REINFORCEMENTS. PARIS DECLARED OPEN TOWN. EARLIER REPORTS. LONDON, June 13. An authorised message states that fresh British and French reinforcements have taken up positions on the Seine Front and are fighting under French orders. The German thrust towards Rouen seems to have slackened, but the great weight of the attack is now being made towards Paris, also southward towards the Marne. Although the Germans have reached the Marne at some points, the Allies are apparently holding this attack. As far as can be ascertained, the Germans have" engaged all their armoured forces. , The German strength is estimated to be at the maximum available. The spokesman confirmed that the Germans reached;. Evreux and Pacy (about 50 miles west of Paris) yesterday, but apparently had not gone further. A .French announcement declares Paris'to be ah open town. It is believed this implies that there will not be street fighting in Paris, although the outskirts and approaches will be defended. General Hering (Governor of Paris) left to assume an Army command after declaring Paris an open city with General Dentz in charge. A notice has been posted which declares: “All military targets have been removed from Paris, and measures have been taken to ensure the inhabitants’ security and food supplies in all circumstances.” The French morning communique savs: “The nct’on continues along the whole front between the sea and the Argonne with the same intensity. Our troops are unceasingly -holding the enemy drive, which is being accentuated, particularly ( on both; sides; of Paris and on the Lower Seine and the Marne.” . ! , The German High Command, in a special bulletin: says : “A French force which we surrounded in the . St. Valery area has capitulated. Our Prisoners here exceed 20 000 including one French corps cemnmnder and one British and four'"French divisional commanders.” • .., The French Government has ordered the requisitioning in Paris of all provision shops and “tores, bakeries and chemists’ establishments to ensure regular , supplies. Persons employed on such "work .are not ’•‘emitted to evacuate. There is .still ample .food and, water throimhont' Paris, The United States Ambassador (Mr

William C. - Bullitt) is. remaining in Paris, following the example in the last war of the American Ambassador (Mr Herrick). ■ The Government has decided to draw a sharp distinction between the Fascist Government and the Italian people, for which reason 75, per cent, of the Italians ; in France .who announced their loyalty to France, will be allowed to continue their normal vocations subject to certain restrictions.