RUSHING UP AID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 9

RUSHING UP AID

GERMANS ON WESTERN FRONT WIRING ADVANCED MNE BRITISH FORCE FINALLY IN SECTOR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 20, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 The Germans were reported to be still rushing up reinforcements last night to support the units which have gained a precarious footing in the vicinity of French territory, on the extreme northern flank of the Western Front, from which the French had strategically retired on Monday. Thousands of new German troops are pouring into the fighting zone, arriving behind the lines by train and motor waggon, while others are hastily erecting barbed wire barricades and digging trenches and tank traps in the positions reached on Monday. French Lines Solidly Organised *' . $ The French war communique this morning states that the night on the front as a whole was quiet. There were steady raids by enemy patrols, supported by artillery fire, but these were repulsed. Another report states that the French lines are now more solidly organised, and that Saarbrucken and Zweibrucken are well within the range of the French artillery. The following statement was made in Paris on the highest authority:—"The operations of the past few days were carried out according to the plans of the French Command. Our units in contact with the enemy at certain points resisted without yielding an inch. At other points they were withdrawn in accordance with instructions. The troops everywhere punctually carried out: orders." Although a German communique claims that the French have retired between the Moselle and the Palatinate Forest, the fact is that the thin French outposts waited until the Germans were advancing and then fired rockets as a signal to artillery and machine-guns, which laid down a barrage on them. Hundreds of British Guns Massed It is revealed that hundreds of British guns, ranging from massive howitzers to motorised anti-tank guns, are massed in the British sector of the Western Front. "The British Expeditionary Force has now finally taken over its.allotted sector of the French line," said Mr. Chamberlain in the House of Commons. "All the divisions are in positiafL We are proud to know that our men are thus standing to their'arms beside the soldiers of France, for whose patriotism, determination and magnificent qualities we have such deep admiration. The understanding between the British and French Higher Commands is complete." - • •^ A correspondent with the British forces in France s>ys that one of the main differences between 1914-18 and to-day is that the British Army has brought camouflage to a fine art. One never sees a column of infantry on the march, nor a line of cars or lorries to give away their position.