Evening star., 1940-05-15

dizzy VVAAA6AAbs
By the Associated Press.
PARIS, May 15.-The french
command reported tonight that
about half the German forces which
crossed the Meuse River yesterday
had been driven back.
It estimated that 20 divisions on
each side-a total Of 100000 men
were pitted in finish .ight in the
'Battle of the Meuse."
Violent French counter-attacks
were reported after a French War
Ministry. spokesman had admitted
that Nazi forces. smashing at posi-
tions south of Sedan, had crossed
the river and established a salient
miles deep or its south side.
The major struggle apparently
was centered around Sedan, 10 miles
within France from the Belgian
frontier.
Counter Attack in Belgium.
But the French also reported q
successful counter attack on the
northwest uank in Belgium and
solid defenses to the southeast in
France.
The German thrust originally
penetrated 10 miles south Of the
river-or nearly 20 miles into France
this spokesman said, but q French
counterattack reduced this pocket
6oIo,,, <I,a ,.jx,or r.. about A ,,e;1ae IYa
said the attack came late yesterday.
The Meuse River runs generally
north and south in this area, and
the French have been holding the
west bank against the Germans on
the east.
German efforts In the Sedan
region, this commentator said, ap-
peared to be the biggest" Of the
entire Meuse front, extending
southwark from Namur, Belgium.
Fresh reinforcements were arriv-
ing in the German lines from Bouil-
lon, industrial settlement north Of
Sedan.
Situation Held Favorable.
The situation of the allies in
Central Belgium was declared
favorable"
A German tank attack in the level
region northwest of Namur, near
Gembloux, was hurled back by
French counterattacks.
The Germans were reported to
have suffered enormous losses"
particularly in tanks and their
crews, and 4-to-1 ratio in planes.
In the Belgian Ardennes Noun
tains, between Namur and Dinant,
the Germans established bridge
heads on the west bank of the
Meuse, which Immediately drew
strong counterattacks from the
French forces on the same side of
the river.
A French military spokesman de-
scribed German landings on the
west side of the Meuse under allied
fire from land and air.
Hurled Back to River.
Part of the German force which
crossed the Meuse south of Sedan
was hurled back into the river.
Heavy French forces pushed east
ward against the Germans.
The German troops were de-
scribed as the "best" shock de-
tachments. Additional reinforce
ments. were arriving from Neuf-
chateau, Belgium, and also coming
in behind German lines from
Marche, Belgium.
French and British aerial forces.
meanwhile, were laying down "tons
and tons" of bombs on German rear
lines, troop concentrations, high
ways, boats and bridges. German
planes were reported bombing the
French rear guard.
East of the Moselle River in the
Maginot Line sector, several every
strong" local German attacks ran
into defense fire from French ad-
vance posts and wilted.
Air raid alarms were sounded this
morning in the regions around
Rouen, Havre and Bordeaux, but no
attacks were reported.
% The French high command re-
ported increased German pressure
along . 55-mile stretch Of the vast,
curving Meuse River front from
Namur to the junction Of the Meuse
1see PARIS, Page A-5J