FRENCH ACTIVE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22529, 13 March 1943, Page 5

FRENCH ACTIVE

Work Of Guerrillas Many Disciplined Bands N.Z.P. A.—Special Australian Correspondent LONDON, March 11. Fighting French Headquarters state that a communique has been received to-day from General Headquarters of the French guerrillas and partisans somewhere in France. The communique is retrospective and covers all activities in France from December 20 until January 20. Over 300 separate operations are listed and an analysis shows that during this period guerrillas and partisans killed 282 German officers and men, partially or entirely wrecked 14 trains, destroyed 94 railway locomotives and 436 coaches, blew up four bridges, destroyed 26 trucks, started 12 major fires, wrecked 10 labour exchanges, destroyed over 1000 tons of fuel and requisitioned food, and killed 10 informers of French nationality.

The guerrillas’ headquarters in France informed General de Gaulle that any outstanding operations would be announced in a special communique relayed to Fighting French Headquarters with the minimum of delay. The first of such special communiques, received to-night, says: "A Reynal detachment in operations in the region of Chalons blasted off the rails at Chagny a train full of German troops which was travelling eastwards. The operations were effected in a well-chosen spot when the train was going at top speed. Over 250 Germans were killed and hundreds injured. Train Destroyed

"Two other trains were wrecked in the Cote d’Or. The first, carrying war material, was completely destroyed. Twenty-two trucks of the second carrying coal to Italy, were destroyed. From these operations our guerrillas and partisans withdrew without loss.” The communique was signed by the High Command of French guerrillas and partisans. The difference between guerrillas and partisans is that the former are spare-time fighters pursuing their normal occupations during the day, while the latter live in hiding and devote their whole time to attacking the .apnemy. Both operate in disciplined bands, organised on a strictly military basis, and are named after heroes or victories of the revolution.