BRITISH UNITS IN BATTLE

Southland Times, Issue 24152, 14 June 1940, Page 5

BRITISH UNITS IN BATTLE

TERRIBLE CROSSING OF SOMME (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 13, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON. June 12. An official observer with the British Expeditionary Force in France says that British units are taking a share in combating the German advanced forces which crossed the Seine. During the last stages of the action in which the Germans crossed the River Somme, our detachments swam from the north bank to the south bank under heavy fire. Officers and men also took boats loaded to the gunwale with wounded across the river, using only a piece of wood as a paddle. The wounded were carried ashore while shells shrieked overhead from German batteries which were hurried to the north bank and bombing by low-diving machine-gun attacks increased the hazards of this passage across the river. There were many acts of individual heroism during the bold rearguard actions against the advancing Germans, even after the mined bridges had been blown up. The Germans at one point drove a herd of cattle before them in order to conceal their approach. The Germans suffered heavily in all these actions. Our heavy machine-gun fire was particularly effective. One company of a London machine-gun battalion alone fired no fewer than 28,000 rounds during one attack, in which wave after wave of German infantry were mowed down under ceaseless fire.

The French Government has ordered the requisitioning of all provision shops, stores, bakeries and chemists to ensure regular supplies. Persons so employed are not permitted to evacuate. There is still ample food and water throughout Paris.

The Government has decided to draw a sharp distinction between the Fascist Government and the Italian people, for which reason 75 per cent, of Italians in France who have announced loyalty to France will be allowed to continue in their normal vocations, subject to certain restrictions. The American Ambassador (Mr W. C. Bullitt) is remaining in Paris, following Mr Herrick’s example in the last war.

The German High Command in a special bulletin says: “The force which we surrounded at Saint Valery has capitulated. Our prisoners here exceed 20,000, including one French corps commander and one British and four French divisional commanders.” VIOLENT BATTLE The French night communique says: “The battle continues with the same violence on the whole front. Between the sea and the Oise, the enemy has accentuated his efforts on the Seine from Rduen to Vernon, attempting to extend the bridgehead he succeeded in establishing southward of the river. He is seeking to push to Evereux and also Pacysureure, but we are vigorously holding him. “The enemy also launched reconnaissance detachments from the north bank of the Seine in the direction of Caudebec, which is between Rouen and Le Havre. On the lower Oise, the enemy ■ made contact with our forces in the region of Persane-Beaumont. The enemy advance guards began violent attacks

in the regions of Crepyenvalois and Betz.

“On the Marne, in the neighbourhood of Chateau Thierry, enemy masses advancing from the north succeeded in throwing some troops to the south bank. In the region of Rheims new enemy tank and motorized forces are engaged in the battle. An entire mechanized corps, comprising three to four armoured divisions and two to three motorized divisions, has now entered the struggle. After bitter fighting our divisions here withdrew step by step to the mountain of Rheims.” Anti-aircraft guns shot down a solitary aeroplane which caused an air raid in the Toulon region. The Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill), accompanied by the Secretary for War (Mr R. A. Eden) and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (General Sir John Dill) had meetings in France yesterday and today with the Prime Minister (M. Paul Reynaud), Henri Petain and General Maxime Weygand, the Allied Commander-in-Chief. Complete agreement was reached as to the measures which should be taken to meet the developments in the war situation. • The King gave an audience to Mr Churchill who is now back in England.