GRAVE HOUR OF DESTINY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24327, 18 June 1940, Page 8

GRAVE HOUR OF DESTINY

Late News

ARMY CEASES FIGHTING MAGINOT LINE ABANDONED (United Press Association) (Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 2.30 a.m.) “ At this grave hour of heavy destiny for our Fatherr land,” said Marshal Petain in announcing the capitulation of France. “ let all Frenchmen gather around myself and my Government in unity. The French Army has stopped fighting. “ French men and women, at the call of the President, I assumed the leadership of the Government of France. I think of those who have been fighting, true to their old military traditions against . an enemy of huge numerical superiority. I also think of those old combatants whom I commanded in the last war.” It is authoritatively stated that there are indications that the french are abandoning part, if not all, of the Maginot Line, after rendering it useless, but there is no definite confirmation of this. German armoured units are attempting a pincers movement around the Maginot Line. BRITAIN’S DETERMINATION FIGHT TILL VICTORY WON LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18„at 3.30 a.m.) The stupendous difficulties with which the French armies were faced are appreciated here. It was stated last night that Britain and the Empire weie resolute in their determination to continue the struggle, and that it could > not be too clearly or definitely emphasised that she would carry on the war until victory was achieved. That declaration still stands to-day. A German broadcast said that Herr Hitler would meet Signor - Mussolini to discuss the attitude to be adopted towards France. An American journalist reports HenHitler as saying that an armistice would not be acceptable—there would have to be complete capitulation. This, how- \ ever, does not appear to square with the statement that he intended to consult Signor Mussolini. Fighting is still going on in several parts of France and the operations near the coast in which the British Expeditionary Force is engaged, together with the French Army, are being continued. A : INVASION, OF BRITAIN if!' . v,A‘ T-' ~ SIR NEVILE HENDERSON’S PREDICTION , ? ' ' LONDON, June 17. I 'L'i'- (Received June 18, at 3.30 a.m.) Sir Nevile Henderson, in a speech to-night, predicted that Hitler would attempt to invade England either this month or in July. ’ / “Hitler cannot win this war,” he said, “unless he defeats Great Britain and he can only do so in one of three ways by an effective blockade of this country, by bombing it into submission, or by invading it. In my opinion, he will try all three things.”