LATE NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23907, 7 September 1939, Page 10

LATE NEWS

BATTLE FOR WARSAW GERMAN TROOPS MASS FIRST DECISIVE ENCOUNTER (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WARSAW, Sept. 6. (Received Sept. 7, at 2.25 a.m.) A major battle for the capital is expected hourly. Machine guns can be heard chattering on the edge of the city. A Polish radio station announced that the Germans have massed north-west of the city, 22 miles away, the front stretching from Cienchanon to Plonsk. This is likely to be the first decisive battle since the invasion. If the Poles are unable to hold the Germans here, the last stand before the capita] is reached will probably be at Novydwor, 15 miles to the north-west. The Polish Government has left Warsaw for an unnamed destination. EVACUATION OF WARSAW WARSAW, Sept. 6. (Received Sept. 7, at 2.45 a.m.) The wholesale evacuation of Warsaw is being rapidly carried out. THE WESTERN FRONT FRENCH INCREASE PRESSURE PARIS, Sept. 6. (Received Sept. 7, at 2 a.m.) French attacks during the night are officially reported to have been concentrated in the north-east, where the German Saar lies, between the Rhine and the Moselle. To-day’s communication was the first to claim gains, and contrasted with previous reports which merely mentioned local successes. This is interpreted to mean that infantry, covered by artillery, eliminated outlying blockhouses at several points. While there is no indication of a large scale offensive it was apparent that the French are gradually increasing the pressure. Evidence of increased activity by enemy aircraft is seen in various sectors. Le Havre had two alarms during daylight, this being the farthest west penetration of German scouting planes. NAVAL CAMPAIGN ATTACKS ON GERMAN SUBMARINES LONDON, Sept. 6. (Received Sept, 7, at 2.30 a.m.) It is announced that British warships have attacked perman submarines in several areas, beginning a determined effort to drive them out of the North Sea, the Channel and the' European side of the Atlantic Ocean. This campaign is being undertaken as a result of attacks on several British merchantmen. GERMAN PLANES FRENCH FRONTIER CROSSED PARIS, Sept. 6. (Received Sept. 7, at 2 a.m.) It has been officially explained that a fleet of German planes crossed the frontier at 10 a.m. apparently to photograph troop concentrations. They then swung towards Paris, but chasers drove them off and pursued them into Germany. QUICK RETRIBUTION It is reported from an American source that the submarine which attacked the Athenia has been sunk by a British destroyer. R.A.F. SUCCESSES AN OFFICIAL BULLETIN LONDON, Sept. 6. (Received Sept. 7, at 2.45 a.m.) An official bulletin says:— 1. There is reason to believe that the R.A.F. attacks on German naval units have been more successful than originally reported. 2. Three German ships which might have been converted into armed raiders were destroyed in the Atlantic and the safety of the crews provided for. 3. German submarines attacked and sunk several British merchantmen. 4. Germany announced the laying of minefields. Already they have claimed two neutrals—a Danish fishing boat and a Greek merchantman. DOMINION TROOPS Messages from London state that no definite decision has yet been made as to the manner in which assistance will be provided by forces from the dominions. Certain strategical considerations, including the question of the neutrality of certain Pov/ers, is not yet clear and the movement of large forces would depend on these factors.