Encirclement Claimed

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1940, Page 5

Encirclement Claimed

A Berlin communique states: “We j continued to attack ,and encircled Allied armies in Flanders and Artois, further restricting their breathing space. “The Allies’ resistance is still very strong at various points.” Another Communique says: “Our Air Force .attacked Zeebrugge, Dunkirk and also Ostend, where a gunpowder and marine stores were set on fire. “Transport was seriously damaged. “Four merchantmen and one warship were hit off Calais on Saturday. “A large warship and a cruiser were set on fire in Narvik. A German communique issued on Saturday states: “We have now definitely encircled the Belgian Army, parts of the first, ninth and seventh French Armies, and the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force. “We have captured Ghent and Courtrai and crossed the Lys River. “Between Roubaix and Valenciennes we are attacking the French frontier fortifications. “Southward, between Valenciennes and Vimy, on both sides of Douai, we are advancing to the north-west. “We captured Vimy Ridge. “We also took Boulogne after a grim fight against land and naval - forces. “We have hepuued In Calais.”

“German troops hold the heights between Lillers and St. Omer as far as Gravelines (between Calais and Dunkirk). “Booty and prisoners are constantly increasing. “We repulsed several weak attacks on the southern front. “Southward of Sedan we stormed an important height and held it against strong counter-attacks. “Our aeroplanes attacked troop concentrations and columns, and bombed quays, oil tanks, shipyards and docks in French and Belgian ports. “They destroyed or seriously damaged a destroyer, seven merchant ships and transports. “Our artillery sank another destroyer.” A correspondent of the American Associated Press with the German western armies said the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army in the Antwerp sector (General von Kuechlen) stated in an interview yesterday: “I am rapidly pushing to Ostend, via Ghent and Bruges. A stern battle continued at Ghent, where the Allies are resisting bravely. Our present task is to get control of the Ghent Canal.” Bacon. —Tne bacon ration in Great Britain is to be reduced from Boz to 4oz weekly from June 10.