Weygand Confident

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1940, Page 5

Weygand Confident

The military spokesman in Paris stated that the position has little changed. Most violent fighting continues along the northern Allies’ line, with the Germans concentrating on their thrust from the east. Fighting around Courtrai has halted, with the German forces suspending their attacks. The French successfully carried out local operations on the Somme. “We hold several bridgeheads. It can be said that we have the' upper hand in this area,” said the spokesman. French guns scored notable successes in the Haute Argonne region. A strong German attack was repulsed west of Montmedy with considerable German losses. The spokesman said General Weygand was “satisfied, confident and full of hope.” Tonight’s French communique says: “We made further progress in the Somme. “Violent fighting is continuing along the river, also in the north. “The Germans, in the last few days have accumulated considerable war material near Boulogne, and have now succeeded in entering the city after heavy street fighting. “It is confirmed, particularly by information from prisoners, that our artillery and automatic arms

inflicted very heavy casualties on the Germans in the latest engagements between the Aisne and the Meuse, in the course of which we found whole sections of German infantry mown down. “Our fighter planes and anti-aircraft guns violently dispersed German formations in our territory and inflicted heavy losses. “At Dunkirk anti-aircraft guns shot down 62 German bombers. “M. Reynaud visited London today and conferred with Mr. Churchill and the War Cabinet.” The Paris military spokesman said that the Allies repulsed all German attacks in the region of Courtrai. The French are still fighting in Boulogne. The'enemy has threatened Calais. The general situation must still be considered grave, but the French High Command has full confidence about the future. German losses have been considerable. The Germans sufi'ei’ed especially heavy losses at a point near Cambrai, where the French launched a fresh attack. Activity lessened during the night on the western part of the front. Some German armoured cars continued to filter through towards the Channel coast, but with less success.