Evening star., 1939-09-24
War on Land

Hlstory-and the armies of Germany
and Russia-moved swiftly in Polands
life last week.
On behalf of peace" or at least "in
protection OF oppressed minorities," the
Red Army of the Soviet swept across Po-
lands north-south frontier last Sunday.
BY midweek Russian forces had occu-
pied strategically located City of Lwow
in the south, swung barrier of troops
across the Polish -Rumanian border and
headed toward the Carpathian passes
into Hungary
In the north, Wilno fell to Soviet pro
lection"
At some points along the 500-mile
push, westbound Russians and east
bound Germans were within shooting
distance of each other, but the common
interests of Berlin and Moscow govern
ment brought an agreement on where
their respective armies should stop.
Roughly, the new Russo German from
tier appeared due to run from the East
Prussian-Lithuanian corner south to
Brest-Litovsk bending next toward
Warsaw, thence south to the Slovakian-
Hungarian junction with what was Po-
land. Warsaw would be German.
But Warsaw, with its government gone
and its supreme
Besieeed Warsaw army commander
HoIds Out interned in Ru-
mania, was sole
dissident from Berlin Moscow partition
ing plans.
WARSAW will resist. Warsaw is do
ing its duty" was the eastern capitals
curt message to the world. Bombs and
artillery fire punctuated its determina-
ton, but failed to silence a radio station
which was persisting daily in defying its
attackers. .s4.sss.-.-
Earlier in week, Lodz and Gdynia ca
pitulated to German forces, lombard
ment by the Schleswig- -Hostein, German
warship, providing the crucial pressure
on the seaport city. Around Lodz and
kutno, Polish resistance was surpassed
only by that of Warsaw.
No big push seemed in prospect on
Western Front. German reserves re-
leased from service in East, seeped into
depots behind the West Wall, but neither
French nor German attempted major Of
fensive.
In German territory along much of
the front, French
Western Front forces were famed
Ge,.r,II, O,;.t out around Saar-
bruecken, but that
important industrial city remained in
Nazi hands. Sporadic artillery fire be-
came intense at periodic intervals, but
died to point of futility at others. Nazi
counter attacks were driven back.
- From Moselle Valley, south to Saar-
bruecken and on to where Rhine be-
comes frontier of two belligerent ma
tions occasional reports of terrific bat
tie aroused speculation that large-scale
offensive might be in the making, but
subsequent periods of quiet have fol-
lowed.
Late in the week, German troops and
= planes began masslng at Aachen. close
So to junction of utch-Belgian-German
frontiers. Two tiny neutrals, already
mobilized, feared fanking drive at
French through lowlands of Holland and
Belgium. French and British have indi-
Gated readiness to send men to aid in
Dutch-Belgian defense if needed Cost
of pathway to France would be dear to
attackers
Continuation of Maginot line though
not so heavy, runs along French-Belgian
frontier.
At other French flank, Swiss stand
modified.
Among relatively few casualties on
west front during week was grandson
of Kaiser Wilhelm, Prince Oskar of
Prussia, 24-year-old lieutenant of in
fantry-killed in action.
More important casualty from military
sense was in east where Col. Gen. Werner
Won Fritsch one-time commander in
chief of German army, likewise was