Evening star., 1940-06-14
French

IfGr@H
TOURS, France, June IA (P.-
The High Command communiQue
said:
The enemy push on two sides of
Paris still further was accentuated.
Due to this advance the troops
protecting Paris have withdrawn
from the city, conforming to orders.
The French high command, in
renouncing direct defense of the
capital, which now is an open city,
wished to save it from the devasta-
ton that would result from such
defense
1t was considered that no WORTH
while strategic result justified the
sacriflce of Paris.
On the Champagne front the
enemy armies are progressing, fight
ing their way south. Their most
advanced elements appear to be
directed toward Romilly on one hand
and st. Dizier on the other.
Our fighting and our movements
continue in the greatest order.
German
BERLIN, June ID [P).-The tert
OF the high command announce
ment said:
The complete collapse of the en-
tire French front between the Eng
lish Channel and the Maginot Line
at Montmedy frustrated the orig
inal intention of the French COM
mand to defend the capital of
France
Thus Paris has been declared an
open city.
At present, victorious German
troops are marching into Paris.
The tert OF the German high
commands second communiQue
today:
The second phase of the gigantic
campaign in the west is VIGOROUSLY
completed.
The power of resistance of the
French northern front has collapsed
The Seine (River, southwark from
Paris, has been crossed on the broad
est front, and LIE Havre taken.
The enemy is in full retreat along
the entire front from Paris to the
Maginot Line at Sedan. At several
points our tank and motorized di-
visions pierced through and overlook
the retreat movement French.
The enemy there fed leaving be-
hind entire equipment. Infantry di-
visions broke through the defense
lines of Paris. Enemy forces were
no longer sufficient for protection of
the French capital.
Since this forenoon our victorious
troops have been marching into
Paris.
East of the Marine Vitry- lie Fran
co.'s was taken. The southern fringe
OF the Argonne forest was reached.
Ridge 304 lDeadman's RIDGE north
west of Verdun, was stormed yester-
day evening.
Montmeuy, strong pillar Of the
Maginot Line, is conquered
The third phase Of pursuit of the
enemy until final destruction now
has begun. This morning our troops
on the Saar front also began a
frontal attack on the Maginot Line.
Although hampered by weather,
our fighting planes and dive
bombers destroyed units on June
13 and also supported armies in
ground fighting at many points of
the front.
Troop concentrations and march
ing and transport columns in the
rear Of the opponents were success
fully bombed and machine gunned.
Extensive destruction was carried
out on airports, railroad stations
and rail lines-especially in the
region east of the Marne.
In the coastal region Of lie Havre
we succeeded in sinking two trans
ports and an additional three were
damaged, among which was one
ship of 10000 tons.
Anti-aircraft artillery north OF lie
Havre sank six enemy transports.
considerably damaged an additional
three and forced one English de-
stroyer to run away.
The opponents air losses yester-
day amounted to 19 planes. Three
were bagged in an air fight, three
were shot down by anti-aircraft
gums and the rest were destroyed
on the ground.
Two OF our own planes are miss
ing. One submarine on June 13
sank the British auxiliary cruiser