FRENCH RESISTANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 3

FRENCH RESISTANCE

I ; CAMPAIGN IN BRITTANY ■ BITTERNESS OF FIGHTING (Reed. 5.85 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12 1 A full-scale war, unknown even to the Americans in Normandv, has heon racing bitterly in Brittany since D Day reports a Renter's despatch from Vannes. French paratroops and patriots have been waging a silent campaign against far greater numbers of German troops. Five hundred paratroops and patriots fought a pitched battle against ,'tfJOO attacking Germans, of whom they killed 510 and wounded 600. The battle lasted from 4 a.m. to midnight. Guerillas fighting; from hedges and woods cut the German columns to ribbons beforo they dispersed into the darkness. Authoritative French sources in London report that French Forces of the Interior set on fire large petrol stocks in Northern France. General Koenig, commander of the French Forces or the Interior, in a broadcast from tlio 1i.8.0., ordered all units in 18 regions to launch reinforced guerilla action, and to attack immediately nil enemy elements proceeding to the battle fronts. Radio France, in Algiers, announces that General do Gaulle has appointed a special commissioner-delegate in occupied France. For obvious reasons his name is not given. The announcement calls him Monsieur X. SUCCESS ADMITTED (R«cd. 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13 The German news agency commentaj tor Mas Krull says German quarters recognise that General Eisenhower has achieved a major success, but the battle of movement has not yet gono into high gear. CANADIANS AND POLES (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Auk. 12 The Second Canadian Infantry Division, which raided Dieppe nearly two years ago, is fighting in Normandy, says an Associated Press correspondent. A Polish armoured division is fighting 111 the Canadian Army sector and taking part in the battle north of Falaiso.