The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-15
French Rush Troops
To Their Maginot Line
Continued From Page u

Continued ]
on the 55-milc front from Namur TO
Sedan. The Germans evidently were
hurting their best armores columns
into this area In an effort to out
flank the strong French-B British
army gathered TO the north 10 pro-
tect Brussels, Antwerp and the chan
mel ports
A major German break through
on the Namur-Sedan sector might
force abandonment OF the northern
Allied positions because OF the dam
ger OF their communication TO the
southwest.
The scene OF battle had swiftly
shifted away from Holland where to-
day the formalities of German oc-
cupation Of the country were under
way after the Dutch had laid down
their arms except for iceland prov
ince just north OF Antwerp and the
Belgian coast. Here Dutch troops
reinforced by British forces were
digging In for " strong stand. Zee
land abounds In submarine and
plane base sites and the Allies were
determined TO save II from German
capture Is possible.
Great fires still were burning In
the Dutch cities Of Rotterdam and
Amsterdam, some started by Ger
man bombs and others by the Dutch
themselves TO keep military stores
and oil from falling into German
possession. A German column en-
tered the Hague. The city was quiet.
Dutch troops were ordered TO remain
In quarters and some were demob-
ilized.
London Minute Men
London mobilized volunteer min
ute men" to guard lonely towns and
isolated coastal regions against what
many regarded as the imminent
threat OF German parachutists and
troop carrying airplanes. Dutch
bases won by the Germans are only
30-minutes flying time from Eng
land. Preparations went forward for
early evacuation OF mothers and
children from London to safer spots
In the country.
There was no doubt In Britain that
Germany was throwing her full
power into the battle In hope OF
achieving quick. Knockout blow.
The feeling was that q mass attack
on England itself will come as rap
Idly as the Germans can organize
their newly-won Low Country posi-
lions.
1t was for that reason, 1t was be-
lieved that the Allied and particul-
arly British troops have dug In for
a stand to protect Antwerp and that
an effort Is being made to hold
Dutch iceland, despite the flank
ing drive OF the Germans 10 the
south. Some suggested that the Al
lies might be preparing to try to
hold the channel positions even II
the rest Of Belgium Is lost, attempt
Ing to provision and reinforce their
otherwise isolated channel forces by
sea-an admittedly hazardous pro-
ceeding In view of the German air
power.
Belg.ans Resisting
The Brussels radio broadcast to
the population to remain calm and
not to leave Brussels despite the
German advance. 1t reported that
Belgian troops were resisting brave
ly. The appeal TO the populace not
to leave Brussels was thought to in
dictate that If the city becomes UNI
tenable 1t may be surrendered by
the BelgianS without fighting In the
metropolis, as was done in the World
War, In order to spare the city and
inhabitants from destruction and
death.
The Balkans rumbled with roper
cussions Of the great northern battle
Budapest reported that Slovakia,
German protectorate to her north
was completely modified today.
Hungary closed its Slovakian from
tier. Rumanian soldiers on leave
were ordered back to their regiments
and reports circulated that Jugo-
slavia had asked Greece what aid
she could give In event Jugoslavia
was attacked.
Balkan Tension Grows
Balkan tension was affected direc-
tly by the mounting anti-allied and
specifically anti-British agitation In
Italy, where street -mobs, posters
and belligerent speeches were whip
ing up Italian tempers. But the
question of whether Italy will en-
ter the war at Germany's side and
If so when Is still unanswered.
The far northern front In Norway
was still suffering. The Germans
bombarded Mo, south Of Narvik, and
was bringing In reinforcements. One
German troop transport was repor-
ted sunk by Allied Norwegian ac-
ton but others succeeded in landing
their forces.
The German high command said
that their counter ATTACK" at Mar
vik continued. The high comand
claimed 200 Allied planes were shot
down yesterday and that Is German
planes were missing.
Naxls Get 10 Airports
Germany has gained l6 airports