THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 17, 1940
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BREAK-THROUGH IN CHAMPAGNE SERIOUS French Official Review Of Military Situation
Concentrated Attack DRAGON Behind Maginot Line
London, To-day.
A review of the military situation in France was given by the French wireless commentator last evening; he stated that in Normandy the German troops do not appear to wish to continue their advance to the west but seem to be taking their stand on a line between Epernon and Chartres. The armies which fought in front of Paris were able
To the
south of the Plateau of armoured columns and units reached the region north of Dijon and the Saone above Gray.
Light elements crossed the river. In Alsace and Lorraine movements prescribed by the French Command
to carry out a withdrawal without being harass-Langres ed by the enemy. The capital itself remains motorised calm and dignified under the occupation. The position in Champagne is obviously more seri ous following the break through by the Germans. This attack was carried out with powerful effec- tives and succeeded in breaking the French posi- tions at Chateau Thierry and on the Montagne de Rheims.
The enemy advanced in various directions to the Yonne, the Seine and the Aube.
The German advance continues and as far as the region of Sens Troyes.
Most important efforts were made where in the region of Chaumont enemy troops advanced as far as Date- lier and further north to the region
situated east of Verdun.
Break Through
The enemy advanced fanwise after breaking through in Champagne.
The Germans on Friday launched a strong attack on the Saar but all attempts to break our lines ended in failure.
On Sunday the Germans launched a new attack near Neuf Brisach. He was thrown back beyond the river
succeeded but certain elements
in occupying and holding bridgehead.
at-
The results achieved by the tackers in the last few days could only be obtained by means of his enormous superiority in troops and material.
3,000,000 In Action The German High Command have thrown in 150 divisions into the battle of on the western front--the whole their available forces.
The occupation forces must thus have been reduced to a strength sufficient 'only to maintain order in Poland-Router.
French Air Attacks
London, To-day.
A French Air Ministry communique states that according to the French radio units of the air force continued energetic action on the whole battle- field.
Fighter groups carried out covering missions and attacked the enemy' without respite, winning numerous victories,
One of the French fighter pilots alono brought down five planes dur. Ing the day.
Bombers operated over the German back areas, harassing Infantry columns and convoys-Reuter.
All Available Tanks.
In The Action
New York, To-day, The Columbia Broadcasting Com- pany representative at Bordeaux re- ports that the French military spokes- man announced yesterday afternoon. that the Germans had thrown all their available tanks into a sweeping movement from east and west and north south against the Maginot Line:
On the Paris front the French are retreating to the south. The Germans are not pursuing them but instead are camping near Paris.-Reuter.
German Communique
Berlin, To-day.
While claiming that the Allied exhausted, forces west of Paris are the official news agency admits that Maginot "in certain sections of the Line stern resistance is being with." Reuter.
French Communique
met
London, To-day.
2.
A French communique states, ac- cording to the French wireless, that enemy attacks were renewed yester- day on the whole battlefront.
To the west of Paris, in the region, of Laigle and La Ferte Vidame, at- tacks have been contained by our troops who launched local counter- attacks.
To the south-east of Paris the The enemy continued the advance. enemy crossed the Seine in the neighbourhood of Meiun and Fon- tainebleau.
Elsewhere he pushed advanced ele- ments past Auxirre in the direction of Clamecy and Avalon.
TERRACE
ROBBERY
It is now revealed that the jewellery
stolen by armed robbers from No. 3 at over $2,500, was the property of Miss Murray, the sister-in-law of Mr.
| Dragon 'Terrace on Saturday, valued
U. Gonella.
Bome
The report that the house was oc- cupied by Mr. and Mrs. Gonella was
Mrs. Gonella died mistaken. years ago, and her sister, Miss Murray, who is British, has since taken charge of the house and the upbringing of Mr. Gonella's daughter.
Mr. Gonella is among the Italians interned.
Miss Murray told the "China Mail" this morning that she had left the. have been executed in accordance house only ten minutes when the six
with orders.
During the past two days there been numerous aerial battles, On
Saturday one sergeant alone brought down in one battle five Italian planes; three were fighters and two bombers. -Reuter.
B.E.F. Communique
London, To-day.
A War Office communique says that details of the fighting in the operations in which the B.E.F. in Normandy are engaged with the French armies, are not at present available but the operations con- tinue-Reuter.
CONNAUGHT ROAD INCIDENT
robbers gained entry into the premises.
YOUTH SENT TO GAOL
Charged on four counts with the theft of four water pump-floats, Chui Yim, 19, was sentenced to one year's hard labour by Mr. E. Himsworth at Kowloon this morning.
Accused was alleged to have stolen the floats on four different occasions from the roof of houses-in Hankow, Peking and Lock Roads since May 22. He was arrested on Saturday when attempting to steal another from a house in Hankow Road.
DEATH IN LONDON. OF MR. E. SYDER
The
Canadian Pacific local office Two Chinese were before Mr. T. J. have just received word of the death Houston at the Central Magistracy in London of Mr. E. Syder, formerly Purser on various Pacific "Empresses" this morning, charged with the man- slaughter of Li Pul at the Yuen On who for a number of years visited on Hong Kong on his regular trips be- Wharf, Connaught Road West, Saturday.
tween Hong Kong and Vancouver.
Accused Li Ming, 25, unemployed, and Li Kam, 33, street-coolie, were alleged to have beaten the man to death.
Defendants were remanded for 72 hours for further enquiries.
Detective-Sergeant R. Mcvey is in charge of the case.
WEATHER REPORT
The Royal Observatory reports that pressure continues high over the Paci- fic to the east of Japan; the depression is situated near Oshima moving north- ward.
Gorman and Austrian women leaving clearing housen for Port Erin, Isle of Man. Beveral hundred of the Women's Voluntary Association for the Clyj1 Defence helped to guard them during the journey. Photo showe women allens and babies":
- at the station on route for tale of Man. (Copyright, Fox):
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