FRONTAL OFFENSIVE AGAINST MAGINOT LINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 June 1940, Page 7

FRONTAL OFFENSIVE AGAINST MAGINOT LINE

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] (Received 15th June, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, 14th June. A Berlin communique from the Fuhrer’s headquarters states: “The complete collapse of the entire French front between the Channel and the Maginot Line at Montmedy has nullified the original intention of the French Command to defend the capital. Consequently the French proclaimed Paris an open city and abstained from defending it. The victorious German troops are now entering the city.” Officials at Berlin said the first German troops entered Paris through the north-western suburbs and marched down the Champs Elysees early in the morning. The German columns consisted of tanks, armoured cars, anti-tank units and motorised infantry. There were few onlookers. The French placed the police, gendarmerie, and fire brigade at the disposal of the German Command to maintain order. Military circles in London discredit a German official news agency report that the whole French line from the sea to Montmedy has broken down. The claim is disbelieved because the French were fighting well yesterday and it seems impossible that the whole line could have broken down in one morning. The French High Command refutes the claim. It is stated that the fighting is one of movement and that the French retreat has been orderly. It is impossible to prophesy what will happen to Paris now. The opinion is expressed that it would cease to be an open town if the Germans attempted to use it as a recuperative centre for German troops. It is doubted here whether the Maginot Line could be used to attack forces in its rear. The German High Command states that a big frontal offensive against the Maginot Line in the Saar district began early this morning.

Bridges in Paris are intact but the French blew up big armaments factories in the suburbs. A radio commentator says the relinquishment of Paris gives more room and suppleness to the movement of the army, which is ferociously continuing to resist German pressure. Soon after the announcement that the Germans were marching into Paris listeners in London heard a German programme on the wavelength of station Radio-Paris. After reading the communique a radio announcer at Berlin said: “We are now going to play ‘The March Into Paris/ specially composed for this occasion.” Hitler ordered bell-ringing for 15 minutes to-day and the beflagging of the whole country for three days. In renouncing the direct defence of the capital, which is now an open city, the French High Command wished tp save it from the devastation that would have resulted from such defence. It is considered that no worthwhile strategic result would have justified the sacrifice of Paris. The enemy armies on the great Champagne front are progressing and fighting their way south. In London it is pointed out that the loss of Paris, while it was to be regretted, was not a matter of strategic importance. The German advance is still south of Roue and on both sides of Rheims. The Germans are reported to be in the vicinity of Romilly, south of the Seine River and about 60 miles west of Paris. GALLANT DEFENCE BY FRENCH M. Rcynaud’s description of the position in his message to President Roosevelt as one of “mortal danger” will, says a correspondent in Paris, be easily understood when it is realised that most units now withdrawn along the Seine, Oise, Aisne, Montemedy line have been fighting continuously ;ver since the battle of the Somme, against an enemy who has been relieved two or three times. In view of the relative freshness of the German troops and their vast numerical superiority in tanks, the French have been unable to launch any large-scale counter-attacks. A French official spokesman stated that one reason why M. Reynaud appealed to President Roosevelt for help is the French shortage of tanks, of which only a small number are able to support the infantry, sometimes none at all. Nevertheless small forces of French ir.fartry, displaying magnificent spirit have made counter-attacks, always succeeding in extricating troops from dangerous positions, allowing the line to fall back. The Allied Air Forces continue to bring down three or four German planes to one Allied plane. M. Reynaud addressed his “last” appeal to President Roosevelt in a broadcast on Thursday. Meanwhile in Britain all available troops and material are being sent to help the gallant french ally, and the army is collecting all possibe material required and arranging for its expeditious dispatch. It is understood that the French Council of Ministers decided to continue resistance to the utmost. The Council approved the text of M. Reynaud's broadcast. It is announced from Tours that the War Office spokesman said late last night that the French line from the sea to the northern end of the Maginot Line remained coherent and unbroken. He added that recently-arrived American bombers had proved most effective, but if they were to influence the final issue there must be many more. The French have been greatly heartened by the renewed pledge given by the British Prime Minister that Britain would give the utmost help to France in her power. For several days British reinforcements have been going to Franee to join in the fighting. A DEAD CITY GATES CLOSED TO EVACUEES FRENCH ARMY FALLS BACK [U.P.A. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] (Received 15th June. 11.0 a m.) PARIS, 14th June. Police and civil guards closed the gates of the city against evacuees at midnight. The step was taken in view ot enemy pressure, particularly in the western suburbs. The French army has fallen back on either side of the city to a line well southward. The German advance guards began to move forward and it was to avoid the possibility of collision in the confusion that orders were given that no more people be allowed to leave the city after midnight. Paris is a Bead city. Every shop is closed and no one is seen in the streets except

| police and civil guards, who are with- | out weapons and purely a civic body. BRITISH SYMPATHY fßritish Official Wireless] (Received 15th June, 10.58 a.m.) RUGBY, 14th June. The utmost sympathy is being expressed in all quarters in London for the French nation in the grief it must be feeling at the necessity to abandon Paris of which every Frenchman is so justly proud and fond. Reports state that Paris was a silent town when the Germans marched in. All shops and house windows were shut and no one but police and civil guards were in the streets. Meanwhile, the French Army had fallen back on either side of the city to a line running well south. GERMAN REPORT ADVANCE CONTINUING [U.P.A. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] (Received 15th June, 10.25 a.m.) BERLIN, 14th June. A High Command comunique says: “We took Vitry Francois east of the Marne and reached the southern edge of the Argonne forest. We stormed a hill north-west of Verdun and also tok Montmedy. The U-boat which sank the Scotstoun also sank six Allied transports and damaged three near Le Havre. SEINE CROSSED ON WIDE FRONT BERLIN, 14th June. The High Command states: “The Seine below Paris has been crossed on a wide front. Le Havre was taken and the enemy is in full retreat from Paris to Sedan. Our armoured units at many points have overtaken and penetrated the retreating forces, which abandoned their entire equipment. Our infantry broke protective positions in front of Paris which the enemy no longer is capable of defending.” SERIOUS SITUATION ATTEMPT TO CUT OFF MAGINOT LINE (Received 15th June, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, 14th June. An unofficial military rdfrort states that the situation east of Rheims is more serious than in the immediate vicinity of Paris. Unfortunately the nature of the ground on which the Germans are attempting to cut off the Maginot Line from General Weygand’s forces resembles a rolling plain, whicn is suitable for tanks. The threat is grave unless German armoured units can oe met by armour. The French Air Ministry stated that French planes bombed and dispersed armoured columns along the whole front CALLS OiTmTmOLOTOV FRENCH AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS (Received 15th June, 11.0 a.m.) MOSCOW, 14th June. Sir Stafford Cripps, British Ambassador, and M. Labonne, French Ambassador, visited M. Molotov separately.