HEAVIER GERMAN PRESSURE

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 5

HEAVIER GERMAN PRESSURE

STRONG DRIVE INTO CHAMPAGNE

RHEIMS PROBABLY OCCUPIED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 14,10.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 14.

A War Office spokesman said late last night that the French line from the sea to the northern end of the Maginot Line remained coherent and unbroken. He added that the recently arrived American bombers had proved most effective, but if they were to influence the final issue there must be many more.

A War Office spokesman said that the Germans have thrown in still more troops. Their strength at present is 120 divisions. French counter-attacks near Persan-Beaumont, which is 14 miles north of Paris, progressed up to five miles. The French are holding everywhere, but a delicate point exists at Champagne, where the Germans are pushing hard in an attempt to separate the Allied armies from the Maginot line.

The Germans probably have occupied Rheims, from which the French have withdrawn. The Germans are driving westward towards Le Havre and also are trying to encircle Paris from the west and east. The situation is most critical in the Rheims and Lower Seine regions. The French and British air forces have been active. They bombed Mannheim, Neustadt, and Frankfurt in addition to the enemy’s rear. The Germans made air raids on East Paris, Evreux and Nantes. DEFENCE OF PARIS A Paris War Office spokesman said that the French High Command had decided to defend Paris to the northern outskirts and then retire to the soutiiem outskirts in order to avoid fighting inside the city. French military experts state that the two most delicate points on the front are the Lower Seine, near Vermon, and in Champagne. At the latter, where the effort was renewed vigorously this morning, an attempt is being made to separate the armies from the Maginot Line.

North of Paris a French counterattack near Persan-Beaumont, on the Oise, drove the Germans back eight kilometres, and fighting is taking place at Senlis towards the river. More British troops have arrived at the point 17 miles north of Paris, where the French made a successful counter-attack, and also south of the Lower Seine. Their arrival is stated to have had an excellent effect on the spirits and morale of their French comrades. The heavy German attacks around Rheims are also being held.

It is estimated by a French military spokesman that the Germans have thrown 120 divisions into the battle and that these are the full forces that Hitler has available.

It is authoritatively stated that the German thrust towards Rouen seems to have slackened, but the greatest weight of the attack is now making towards Paris and also southwards towards the Marne. Although the Germans have reached the Marne at some points, the Allies are apparently also holding this attack.