1940-05-30 — Page 9

B.E.F. And French Establish A New Line

HEARTENING

OFFICIAL SURVEY

LONDON, TO-DAY.

IT WAS LEARNED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE IN LONDON THAT THE B.E.F. WITH ITS FRENCH ALLIES IN THE NORTH- ERN ZONE ARE FIGHTING A STIFF REARGUARD ACTION COVERING THEIR WITHDRAWAL.

It is understood they have succeeded in establishing a definite line and are putting up strong opposition. The withdrawal has been carried out with skill and courage.

In the face of terrific odds, the morale of our troops

remains quite unshaken.

It is almost certain that equipment and material which may have to be abandoned will be destroy- ed to save it falling into enemy hands.-Reuter.

A reasonable hope was expressed in official circles in London last evening that the situation of the Nor- thern Army so gravely compromised by the Belgian defection may yet be partly saved by measures now being taken.

It is certain that the Gorman. troopa have been subjected to heavy losses and are showing definite signs of exhaustion.

German Losses While exaggerated optimism is not to be encouraged particularly as it is admitted that two-thirds of the ports on which the opérations of the Nor- thern Army were based are now given over to the enemy as a result of Leo- pold's defection, reliable information indicates that the German Air Force hus lost over 2,000 planes which is about half its first-line force at the beginning of the war.

Also the Germans appear to have lost 2,000 out of 5,000 mechanised units.

Dogged Determination

Despite their desperate position, the British and French troops have responded admirably and have done much to patch up the situation. They are fighting with dogged determina- tion and indomitable courage, and are being magnificently covered by the Royal Air Force which is main- taining a dawn to dusk fighter patrol against German bombers attacking the Allied positions and keeping up a continuous bombardment from, the air of German columns and com- munications.-Router.

Admirable Courage (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Paris, To-day.

..

A General Staff communique says the Allied troops in the north are re- sisting with admirable courage, fierce attacks by the enemy.

Reports from a rollable. source state that German losses during the fighting on Tuesday and Tuesday night were particularly heavy. Along the Somme and Aisne local operations were carried out success- fully.

south-

An enemy" surprise attack east of Chateau Percien was repulsed. East of the Aisne there was 'nothing of importance to report.-Havas,

Heroic Struggle

Parls, To-day.

A French war communique says the French and British troops who are fighting in northern France are main- taining with a heroism worthy of their traditions a struggle of exceptional Intensity.

}

For a fortnight past they have been fighting a battle separated from the main bodies of our armies by German formations which are being constant- ly reinforced.---Reuter.

Somme Operations

Paris, To-day,

Three large villages have been-re- taken on the Somme after lively fight-

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ing, reports the French military spokesman.

At Chateau Porcien, there was yet another German attempt to cross the Aisne, but it

was repulsed without much difficulty.

Further east and Line, there is no change,

on the Maginot French artillery is violently shelling although

enemy lines of communication on the other side of the Rhine.-Reuter.

***Chateau Porcien is some five miles west of Rethel; it should not be con- fused with Chaumont Porcien, which is about 15 miles due north of Rethel.

B.E.F. Material

London, To-day.

It is pointed out in London military 'circles that while the majority of the B.E.F. personnel are fighting north of the gap made by the German ad- vance, a large and probably larger part of its material is located south of the gap.-British Wireless.

BALLOON BARRAGE MEN ARMED

London, To-day. Men of the home ser- vice balloon barrage units are now being arm- ed, stated the Air Minis- ter, Sir Archibald' Sin- clair, in reply to a Com- mons question yesterday.

Reuter.

· SHANGHAI AND IPOH FLIERS MISSING

London, To-day.

GREAT AIR BATTLE AT DUNKIRK

London, To-day.

The Air Ministry announces that the R.A.F. continues to give all the support in its power to the Allied armies in north-eastern France and Belgium.

Railways, roads, bridges and enemy troops were con- tinuously attacked on Tues- day, Tuesday night and yes- terday by medium and heavy bombers.

.

The enemy's advance has been considerably harassed and impeded by these attacks.

On of our bombers failed to re- turn.

Our fighters were engaged in offensive patrols, over the French coast throughout yesterday.

Near Dunkirk fast evening a for- The latest Air Ministry casualty list

mation of Hurricanes and Deflants of 32 names contains the name of Fly-

engaged large forces of enemy bom- ing-Officer I.A.C. Peach, born of a bers heavily escorted by fighters. Shanghai father in Shanghai, and At least 22 enemy aircraft were Flying-Officer E. C. Ford, born in shot down, while all our machines Ipoh. Both men are missing.-Reuter. | returned.--Reuter.

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