FRENCH ATTACK SUCCEEDS

Southland Times, Issue 23945, 11 October 1939, Page 7

FRENCH ATTACK SUCCEEDS

Shells Pierce Nazi Armour GRAPHIC DETAILS OF LONG BATTLE GERMANS DROP OUT ONE BY ONE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Daventry Broadcast, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 10. Graphic details of an attack launched by French tanks have been supplied by French officers to “Eye-witness.” As the tanks were ’.umbering forward, German tanks came out to meet them. Fire was opened by both sides and the battle continued for hours. The German tanks fell out slowly one by one, with their armour pierced by shells and their crews dead. The French tanks continued to advance, meeting little op- , position after the initial repulse.

This morning’s French war communique says that enemy-patrols have been very active on the Western Front, more especially east and west of the Saar. The artillery on both sides has also been active in this sector. The communique adds that artillery engagements have been general along the whole of the Western Front and that enemy patrols have been operating between the Moselle and the Saar. A French military observer emphasizes the failure of the German patrols, whose aim it was, he said, to learn the positions of the French advance posts and capture prisoners. No posts had been reached and no men had been taken prisoner by the patrols. These activities were particularly noticeable on the three main sectors of the front, but the French retained their positions without difficulty and were in command of the territory.

Enemy artillery fire is increasing in intensity. The fire has been continuous for the last two days and the number of guns being used has increased considerably. Semi-official ob-

servers state that during the last few weeks thousands of French troops have become accustomed to trench warfare by means of frequent reliefs. Very few men have been lost by exploding German land mines.

In reviewing the French and German military strengths, an expert says that Germany has only 1,500,000 trained reserves, whereas France has 5,000,000. Germany would have a numerical superiority, however, if untrained re-

serves were included. This lack jx trained reserves was another problem facing Herr. Hitler and was one that he had been warned about a year ago.