1940-05-11 — Page 24

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DUTCH

OPEN

CHINA MAIL MA

1940

DYKES

Water Playing Important Part In Defence

BIG CENTRES CUT

OFF FROM EAST

AMSTERDAM, TO-DAY.

THE BIG PART WHICH WATER IS PLAYING IN HOL-

·LAND'S DEFENCE SYSTEM IS DISCLOSED. IN

DETAILS ISSUED HERE LAST NIGHT. The main inundation aims at cutting, off Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and other big centres from the east. The invaders will have to fight their way through a series of subsidiary lines even before they reach the flood-

ed territory.

Along the frontier a system of local inundations and cleverly placed de- the first ob- fence posts constitutes stacle.

Strongest point is just north of Nij- megen, which guurds the approaches to the narrowest part of the semi- circular line which connects, the Zuy der Zee with the mouth of the Meuse. The Intricate system of dykes and canals is being manipulated with extraordinary, speed and low-lying fields have disappeared below. rising tide of the waters, leaving gaunt trees and Isolated and desert. ed villages..

Booby Traps ·

the

Canals disappear and form booby traps.

In only one section of the town of Arnhem, at a distance, of nine miles from the Dutch-German fron- tler, have Nazh troops reached the Ysaol.

German

parachutist troops been surrounded and are being anni- hilated-Reuter.

HOLLAND'S DEFENCES

MDEN

GRONINGEN

ESEL LAKE

HELDER

MLS.

NEDERSTEHE

MENPE

XLKMAJR.

SE-A

HAARLEM

MAIN EWATE

LINE

Amsterdam

MUIDEN

COLDENZAAL

BLENTHEIN

AMERSFOORT

THES

HAGUEUTRECHT

RÖTTERDAM.

WAGENINGEN

SCHE SGROAN,

MÜENSTER

GORINCHEM W

MAAS

TILBURG

KEINDHOVEN

LEK) CULENBORG 44 RHINE SHOESFELD

GERMANY

VENLO

have

ANTWERP

GHENT

MALINES

Brussels

·MASSÈLT

70 German Planes Shot

Down In Holand

Amsterdam, To-day. The second communique of the Netherlands Army yester- day reported that at least 70

BELGIUM

LIEGE

(MEU)

MAA

ESSEN "DUISBURG DUSSELDORF

COLOGNEQ

AACHEN

BONNY

In this map the heavy arrows point to the main lines in the Dutch, water, defence system..

German planes had been BELGIANS

BELGIANS CHECK

shot down in various parts of

There is no cover. The whole east- ern fringe of the waterline consists of the country, both bombers higher ground,-so-that-it-is-impossible. for the enemy to let the water out.

and those trying to land

The line has been modernised troops. with a comprehensive system of for- tifications behind it.

Other defences consist of innocent looking huts which really are machine- gun nests.-Reuter.

German Troops Held

London, To-day.

The Dutch news agency in a broad- cast says Dutch troops destroyed bridges across the rivers Meuse and Yssel.

BOMBS ON SWISS

STATION

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Four German armoured trains had been successfully attacked, the com-. munique continued, one, being blown up at Venloo.

up

Netherland troops are putting a stiff resistance on the Yssel and Maas Rivers. Small German con1 centrations in the country itself are trying to maintain themselves against strong opposition.

The Germans are shielding behind prisoners of war, the communique concludes.—Reuter.

Dutch Defences Hold

The Hague, To-day. A Dutch army communique says, notwithstanding fierce German at- tacks, Delfzijl is still in our hands. train destroyed near THE SWISS GENERAL STAFF An armoured

Venlo was blown up together with the A FOREIGN FOUR

Reuter. BOMBS railway bridge.

BERNE, TO-DAY.

ANNOUNCES THAT PLANE DROPPED ON THE RAILWAY AT DELE- MONT. AN ENQUIRY IS BEING MADE.

The railway was damaged and one track blocked to traffic.

The Federal Council has ordered general mobilisation for this morning, at 9 o'clock, to face any eventuality "or threat.

The Federal Council has withdrawn. 'all visas given abroad by Swiss con

suls.

CHUNGKING

NOT SURPRISED

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Chungking, To-day. Politicians here were not surprised Control of traffic on the German

Bel- and French frontiers is being rein- by the German aggression on

and gium, Holland

Luxembourg forced. Havas.

which, they consider as a logical se- quel to the Scandinavian campaign, as the German tactics appear to be to launch successive "blitzbreig" in vari- ous parts of Europe to take the Allies unawares and divide their efforts as much as possible.

AIR ATTACHE'S ESCAPE

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA, MAIL")

is

Military action in the Balkans LONDON, TO-DAY. expected here in the immediate fu- THE BRITISH‍ AIR· ATTACHE AT|ture. THE HAGUE WAS NEARLY KILLED BY A BOMB WHICH FELL NEAR Following the German aggression THE FOREIGN MINISTRY.

on Holland, politicians here wonder Military circles state that about 200 whether Japan will be taking the op- German parachutists in British uni-portunity to invade the Dutch East forms landed at The Hague airport. Indles-Havas.

|- Hilverum... radló announced.::. that the Dutch Foreign, Minister and Colonies -Minister left for London other Nazi to contact the Allies.....

one bombing raid over, Holland. - Fifteen, Heinkel bombers and 23 Havas.

GERMAN ADVANCE

AT ALL POINTS

London, To-day.

The Defence Minister, General Denis, in the Belgian Chamber, stated that the German bombings of Bel- gian aerodromes were not successful as Belgian planes had been taken from the aerodromes several hours be- fore the attacks were launched.

General Denis stated that the German advance was check-

ed at all points.

All defence preparations were now working perfectly and the first hours of the war justifled every hope of its successful furtherprosecution.

LEON DEGRELLE ARRESTED

Brussels, To-day. Leon Degrelle, the leader of the Belgian Rexist (Fascist) Party, and Deplerq, leader of the Flemish Nationallet Party, 'were; arrested, yesterday.

Two Flemish Nationalist de- putles, Tollenare and Grammens, are also reported to have been arrested. --Router.

SWEDISH CABINET IN LONG SESSION

Stockholm, To-day, The Swedish Cabinet held a very long session early yesterday morning. -Reuter.

London, To-day,

the

The results counted on by aggressor, said. Lieut-General Denis, have not been accomplished and we can claim our first success.

"The way in which the Allied in- tervention is being undertaken is most encouraging.

"The Army will fight to the end to show itself worthy of 1914."

The Chamber adjourned, an historic session to cries of "Long Live

the King."Reuter.

Nazi Planes Shot Down

Brussels, To-day.

A communique issued by the Na. tional Defence Ministry, announces that at least eight, and probably nine, Ger- man planes were shot down by Bel- gian fighters and anti-aircraft de- fences.--Reuter.

37 Killed in Brussels Rald

London, To-day.

It is authoritatively learned In Lon- don that 37 were killed and 61 wound- ed in the German air attack on Brus- sela aerodrome and distriot.

The German troops' attack has been held at every point-Réuter.

Held Up At Line Of

Demolitions

Brussels To-day,

Latest reports reaching, London in- dicate that the British occupation of A Belgian Communique yesterday

·Dombers were sighted on Iceland met with no resistance, and morning stated that the Germans were. the operation was carried out accord-being held up successfully at the line Ing to plan.-Reuter.

of demolitions-Reuter.