Evening star., 1940-06-16

buoyed up by the slogan, "They
Shall Not Pass"
BY September Germany offensive
had failed, and the failure had a
far-reaching effect on the course
of the World War.
| The French numbered their dead
and wounded then at 350000, the
Germans at 100000
The storming of Verdun today was
a tremendous rear attack or a flank
turning movement against the line
of steel and concrete Notifications
which for long have been a symbol
OF French security-the Maginot
Line they thought was impregnable.
The other attack-south of Saar-
brucken-Was frontal assault near
the middle of the German French
frontier.
| Story of Verdun Fall.
| German military sources said that
capture of heavily fortified Verdun
had caused collapse of "the most
famous world wonder of our day
| france MaglnOL Line.
This was the Germany military
account of the fall of Verdun, and
the position of the fanked French
forts:
ITO raise the Nazi war flag over
the citadel of Veroun, German
troops had to fight through line
of outer forts. Two OF these forts
at Vaux (5 miles northeast of Ver-
dun) were stormed and taken this
forenoon. Other troops coming from
the north and west took Deadman's
Bridge, overlooking Verdun, yes
terday.
Now Verdun has fallen.
Crushing bombardment, particu-
larly from bombing planes, appar-
emily had the same paralyzing ef-
feet on the Maginot Line as they
did on defenses in Belgium, which
were patterned after it,
German troops stormed in while
sWarms of stukas dived to attack,
and artillery of all caliber rained
shells on the forts and pillboxes
hour after hour.
Verdun's Role Important.
IN the World War Verdun was
the northern corner of a fortified
line established against Germany
which then was of the same i'm
portance as the Maginot Line to-
day. When Maginot built the forti-
ned line bearing his name, old
fortresses from Belfort to Verdun
were to form strong second de-
fense.
'Verdun was given an important
role TO protect, the flank of the
Maginot Line against possible Ger
man advance through Belgium,
Inc old fortress was therefore reno
Vated and modernized at great cost.
Now the Maginot Line has been
preached south of Saarbrucken on
broad front. The fortresses of
Metz, Toul and Belfort are exposed
10 encirclement, and there exists
tne possibility OF getting at the
French Rhine front from the back
and rolling it up.
Ihus Frances entire western
loftlncation-most famous world
wonder of our day-collapses.
Conquering by an audacious
coup de main dash-even if SUM-
ported by heavy artillery and dive
oombers-was only possible if the
garrison (of the fortl was extremely
weakened or morally so shaken that
1t could not resist"
Three Tasks for French.
Inc Berlin newspaper "Nachtaus-
gaoe, commenting on the German
victories, outlined three tasks fac
ing the French high command:
rlrSt-Ihey must attempt IN
gather their beaten and scattered
forces below Paris. At the same
tlme they must greatly strengthen
the Maginot Line unless they intend
10 carry out a "retreating fight
there. And third they must trv tn
meet Italian pressure which tho
paper said, was naturally growing
stronger daily on the Alpine bor-
der. 'oA
the German press, as well as Of
llclaldom, stressed the news of the
German capture of Paris, but gave
no mint of whether Hitler intend,
10 60 to the French capital =
Inc drive on the Maginot Line
ana Verdun was typical of the
numbering warfare which in 10 davs
brought the Nazi hosts greater sue
cess than the Kaiser's armies pilec
up IN four years of deadly fighting
While the Germans were estab-
hshing themselves in Paris. Ger