French Guerrillas Well Organised and Active

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 61, 13 March 1943, Page 5

French Guerrillas Well Organised and Active

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Mar. 11. Fighting French Headquarters states that a communique has been received to-day from the General Headquarters of the French guerrillas and partisans somewhere in France. The communique, which is retrospective, covers all activities in France from December 20, 1942, until January 20. Over 300 separate operations are listed. An analysis shows that, during this period, French guerrillas and partisans killed 282 German officers and men, partially or entirely wrecked 14 trains, destroyed 94 railway locomotives and 436 coaches, blew up four bridges, destroyed 26 trucks, started 12 major fires, wrecked 10 labour exchanges, destroyed more than 1000 tons of fuel, requisitioned food, and killed 10 informers of French nationality. Guerrilla headquarters in France havo informed General de Gaulle of any outstanding operations which would be announced in a special communique relayed to Fighting French Headquarters with the minimum of delay. The first such special communique was received to-night. This communique says:— “The Reynal detachment in operations in the region of Chalons blasted off the rails at Chagnv a train full of German troops travelling east. The operations were effected at a wellchosen spot when the train was going at top speed. More than 250 Germans were killed and hundreds were wounded.” The communique goes on: “Two other trains were wrecked in Cotedor. Tho first, carrying war material, was completely destroyed. Twenty-two trucks of the second train, which was carrying coal to Italy, were destroyed. From these operations onr guerrillas and partisans withdrew without, loss. V The communique was signed by the High Command of the French Guerrillas and partisans. The difference between guerrillas and

partisans is that the former are sparetime fighters pursuing their normal occupations by day, while the latter live in hiding and devote their whole time to attacking the enemy. Both operate in disciplined bands and are organised on a strictly military basis. They are named after heroes or. victories of the revolution.