Evening star., 1939-09-24

Won Kluge, to establi1h connection
with East Prussia - swiftly as pos
sible. cross the vistula between
Bydgoszsz and Grudiadz and with
the group advancing toward 0rud-
iadz from East Prussia, attempt TO
join in q general easterly direction
with the north wing Of the southern
army group.
The second army of Gen. Won
Book. under command Of Gen. Won
Keuchler, had the assignment to
come from East Prussia over the
Narew River and the Bug east of
the Vistula and establish connec-
ton with the army of Won Reich
enau or cut Warsaw OH from the
east. In the course of further op-
erations an effort was to be made to
capture in a further extensive en-
circling movement behind the San
and Bug those Polish forces which
might succeed in crossing the Vis-
tula.
All of the assignments in this
plan OF operation were mustered
in an outstanding manner by the
army command and carried out bril-
liantly by the troops. The first
operations, to engage in battle and
destroy as strong an enemy force
as possible, succeeded to = degree
which will 60 down in history.
In q connected series of battles
1t was possible to decide the des-
tiny of the Polish Army and with
it the entire campaign practically
within eight days. Destruction of
the Polish Corridor army was fol-
lowed q few days later by encir-
clement and weakening of Polish
troops retreating before the army
of Won Reichenau in the vicinity
of Radon.
Polish Force Hemmed In.
The forces of Won Reichenau's
army thrown forward to the doors
of Warsaw then prevented retreat
across the Vistula of the Polish
armies Of Poznan and the Corri-
dor. Thereafter the army of Bias
kowitz and the greater part of the
army Of Won Richenau hemmed in
this strong enemy force.
More and more pressed together,
the Polish divisions in continued
attacks attempted in various places
to break the ring that held them.
Just as the German divisions ear
lier had shown themselves OF the
highest value In offensive power, so
now they demonstrated q not less
value in their ability to stand firm.
The result of this series of battles
was almost total destruction of the
Polish armies west of the Vistula.
Prisoners in the total of three sur
renders connected with this big
operation were more than 300 900.
The grand total Of captives is now
up to more than 10000. The total
guns seized already is about 1900.
Other war materials seized are not
yet possible even approximately to
calculate.
Troops Of all German extractions,
young actives and older classes, par
ticipated equally In this enormous
success. German infantry renewed
its undying fame. It's ability In
marching and in bearing up under
hardship was no less than its ability
in fighting. To its courage in attack
was added an unshakably strong
ability to stand Arm that conquered
every imaginable crisis.
Light and heavy artillery assisted
in making possible the biggest sue
cesses. Thanks to their efforts and
those Of the engineers it was possible
in the shortest possible time to con-
quer Polish border fortifications
either b ystorming or going around
them in order to destroy the enemy
without letup.
Troops Fulfilled Hopes.
Armored and motorized units,
cavalry, anti-tank and reconnais-
ance units in extraordinary collab.
Grafton fulnllef the hopes placed In
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