SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21677, 11 June 1940, Page 5

SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT

SEVERE GERMAN THRUSTS Enemy Reach Seine Oulted Press Association-B? Electrit Telegraph Coprrlgbt (Rec. June 11, 2.0 a.m.) LONDON, June 10. It is authoritatively stated that the situation is obviously increasing in difficulty. Our troops are in some of the heaviest fighting and are playing their full part on the left of the French. The Germans are making three main thrusts, the first above Rouen, the second south from Soissons and the third a new attack on both sides of Rethel. The first thrust is the most serious and here the enemy made most progress, reaching the Seine. A message from Basle states that the French artillery at 2 a.m. and again at 3 a.m. opened the heaviest bombardments so far against the German positions at the Swiss end of the front. Huge columns of smoke were seen from the vicinity of Basle, where windows were rattled by the gunfire. Each bombardment lasted 20 minutes. Everyone here was awakened and watched the flashes from the Maginot forts. Fresh German divisions are reported to be moving into the Black Forest where the forces are now estimated at 20 divisions. British Troops For Fiance Mr Winston Churchill in a message to Mr Reynaud states: "Within the last few days fresh British troops have landed in France to join those already engaged in a common struggle. Further extensive reinforcements are being rapidly organised and will shortly be available. The maximum possible support is being given by British forces in the great battle which the French armies are now conducting with such undaunted courage. All available means are being used to give help on land, on sea and in the air. The Royal Air Force is continually engaged over the battlefields and within the last few days fresh British forces have landed in France."