Evening star., 1940-06-05
British Left Supplies for Forty Divisions in Flanders Nazis Sav

at airdromes in the vicinity of Paris
two days ago, and according to the
German report, smashed from 300
to 400 French planes, furthering
German numerical air superiority.
Germans Confident.
Germans were confident that a
southwark drive toward Paris across
the Somme, Aisne and Oise Rivers
would be no problem for the Reich
Army.
Some quarters said the new Nazi
move might be made "in both direc-
tions against England
and deeper into France at the same
time.
AS for Paris, it was pointed out here
that there are no fortification lines
to overcome in this direction, and
that Paris is lying practically ex-
posed" before the German troops.
High German circles, jubilant
over the German victory in the
great battle of Flanders, formally
ended only yesterday, confidently
predicted that the new attack was
opening probably the last phase of
the war"
First word of the new attack came
direct from the Fuehrer's headquar-
tiers on the western front in two
announcements, one an order of
the day to the German armed forces
and the second a message to the
German people
In triumphant phrases Hitler told
the German people of conclusion of
the battle of Flanders and stated !:
This morning German divisions
and air squadrons began anew the
march for continuation of the fight
for the liberty and future of our
people"
He ordered an eight-day celebra-
ton OF the Flanders victory in
which flags are to be displayed from
homes and in which bells are to toll
for three days.
Their sound" he added omin-
ously, may unite with prayers with
which the German people from now
on Will again accompany their sons"
New Divisions Assisting.
Hitler said many new divisions"
were assisting in the new onslaught.
In looking for a drive on Paris
informed Germans discounted as of
no value the statement of Gen.
Weygand OF French determination
Alsne-Somme sector from trench
lines.
The new drive became the next
step in what the army high COM
mand said in long statement late
last night would ultimately be the
complete destruction" of the Allies.
Spirits were buoyant and morale
high as the German Army reso-
lutely faced its next assignment
The general expectation was that it
would be to deliver at the heart of
France another smash such as that
in Flanders. described jubilantly by
the high command as "one of the
greatest victories of world history. !"
Flanders Battle Summarized.
In a special announcement from
Fuehrer Hitler's headquarters at
the front, to which the entire ma
tlon was advised to listen by radio,
the high command last night pre-
sented its summarized version of
what has happened since May 10,
when the German Army launched
its drive through the Lowlands and
France.
The strategic goal'' of this drive
"as given by the Fuehrer" was to
force a break-through in the en-
emy border Notifications south of
Namur and thereby create a pre-
condition for destruction Of the
French and English Armies north
OF the Aisne and Somme Rivers" the
high command said.
AT the same time" it added,
Holland was to be occupied swiftly
and thereby eliminated as base for
a planned English operation by land
and in the air on the north flank of
the German Army"
"Fulfllment Of this gigantic task
was reported yesterday, on the 26th
day, the high command said, with
greater Germany controlling "the
entire east and south coast of the
North Sea and Channel
Removal of Allied troops from the
German trap in Flanders. said the
communique, was not a heroic re-
treat Of the English Army as the
English propaganda seeks to pre-
sent 1t, but one of the greatest
catastrophes in history"
The great battle of Flanders and
Artois is ended" said the high COM
mand. 1T will go down in war his
tory as the greatest destructive
battle of all times.
Even though thousands (of the
Allies saved their bare lives, their
materials and equipment, incapable
OF being estimated. lie in the streets
OF Flanders and Northern France"
Figures on Battle.
The high command presented
these figures on the battle:
French, English, Belgian and
Dutch prisoners-1,2 200, 900.
Enemy fallen, drowned and
dead now be estimated. -
Weapons and equipment of Allies
"for about rs to 80 divisions" were
destroyed or seized"
Allied airplanes shot down., ,841
Allied airplanes destroyed on the
ground"-1. 900 to 1,700.
Allied ships sunk by bomb attack
five cruisers, seven destroyers, three
submarines, nine other war vessels