BACKS TO SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23662, 22 May 1940, Page 9

BACKS TO SEA

BRITISH DEFENDERS DESPERATE FIGHTING LINE FOR FINAL STAND By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 21 A British war correspondent with the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium reports: "Fighting desperately, British troops once more stand with their backs to the Channel. If ever Britain needed the stubbornness that made her famous at Waterloo, she needs it now. "The British Expeditionary Force continued its withdrawal on Sunday to positions on which inevitably it will make the final stand. The Germans bomhed and strafed'them continuously, but "losses were slight, although ambulance trains are beginning to arrive in the back areas, one with its carriages riddled with bullet holes. Improvised Barricades "The British line in Belgium touches the vicinity of Ath, a fortified town 32 miles south-west of Brussels, theuce northward to the Scheldt Valley and to the North Sea, where French and Belgian forces are putting up a magnificent light. Farm carts and railway cars have been thrown into barricades across the road to hold up the tide of the German advance, which on Sunday night rolled seaward beyond Antwerp. "The main British positions were continuously attacked in the past week, and backward movements were twice carried out in order to align the front with tiie flank situation in France. Advance Losing Momentum

"German tank battalions, fighting desperately, strongly attacked on the plains west of Brussels, but the advance is losing momentum. The British are holding a line that is stronger than anything previously occupied. "The British troops are confident. The men know they badly mauled the Germans at Louvain and threw back half a dozen attempts to break through.

"Miles behind the. battle lines last night the skies were aflame with burning munition and petrol dumps." British tanks have joined the French in challenging the German mechanised columns, furiously threatening the German flanks, and, according to latest despatches, considerably slowing down the advance. British, French and Gorman tanks were interlocked in a series of running engagements. The Allied resistance yesterday was stronger, but the situation continues to be confused. There are iio signs of a sottled battlefront yet emerging. British Line Not Dented The enemy has not dented the British line and 110 British material has been abandoned. The Allied morale is improving and the arrival of General AVeygand has imparted tremendous confidence. The continued Belgian defence of the Liege and Namur forts is hampering railway movements behind the German lines, for practically every railway leading to the German front passes through those towns.

Tlio French 75 mm. guns have proved extraordinarily effective against the German tanks.

NEW COMMANDER FRENCH WRITER'S PRAISE QUICKNESS OF DECISION LONDON May 20 A high tribute to General Weygnnd has been paid by the noted French novelist and writer, M. Andre Mauruis. "When the Government called on General Weygnnd," M. Maurois said, "in order to restore a grave position, be arrived by air from Syria. Lie listened to the report on the situation, assessed the difficulties and then declared, 'I am at the service of France'." M. Maurois added: "We know General Wcygand retains his marvellous quickness of decision. Like Foch in 1918, he takes command in the midst of a compromised battle, and like Foch he will emerge victorious."