NO CHANGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23481, 19 October 1939, Page 11

NO CHANGE

POSITIONS HELD SHARP CLASHES GERMANS IN ARMOUR STEEL VISORS WORN (Received October IS, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18 A communique issued last evening stated that tliere was activity along the whole of the "Western Front, but no change had occurred in the positions; since the morning, in spite of sharp infantrv engagements. It is now learned* that one German division was engaged in. Monday's attack on the Moselle sector, and four or five divisions in the large-scale thrust east of the Saar. It is also stated that scores of the Germans killed were wearing steel vests and visors and carrying machine-guns. An official French communique, referring to the thrust, says:—"Our light advance troops fell back, fighting in accordance with their mission, but our firo held up the enemy at a prearranged line. "The French Command, in anticipation of this offensive by the Germans, a fortnight ago decided to withdraw to other positions the French divisions which had taken the offensive 'on German territory in order indirectly to assist the Polish armies. The whole of the necessary movements were completed by October 3, and thereafter we had only light advanced troops and a few supporting units in contact with the* enemy." A laconic ' communique yesterday morning stated: "We obtained results north-west of Wissemburg." This meant that the French captured prisoners, from whom they obtained much information of the German plans.

"BACKS TO WALL" HAIG'S FAMOUS ORDER (Received October 18. 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 17 By a bequest of the late Sir Philip Sassoon, the British Museum, which already possesses Lord Haig's map of the Western Front o:u September 20, 1918, has now acquired another striking memento bf the Great War. It is Lord Haig's autographed draft of his famous "backs to the wall" order on April 11, 101 S. This document was issued at a moment of extreme national danger from the enemy. Britain is facing the same enemy again to-day. The document is an exhortation to all ranks of the British forces in France. Its concluding passage is:—".Every position must be held to the last man. There must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and, believing in the justice of our cause, each one of you must fight to the end. The safety of our homes and the of mankind" alike depend upon the conduct of each one of you at this critical moment,"