The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-06

back by the French defense line, &C.
cording 10 the French spokesman,
who reported heavy casualties In.
hictcd on the enemy.
The main German thrust forward
was on q 23.mlle sector between
AmienS and the SEQ, the French
said. The Germans forced passage
OF the Sommc river a. several points
IN what appeared 10 be n campaign
designed 10 envelope Paris from
both sides.
Attacking at dawn, the German,
Obvious 10 their losses, sought on
this second day OF the second phase
OF their blitzsfieg 10 cut of France
from Britain by taking the last OF
the Channel ports, while the German
left wing sought 10 blast o path 10
Paris from the eastern part OF the
ji0-mile front In tho battle OF the
Bomfne.
Reports from the front said that
the Germans had thrown every.
thing they had into the channel at
tack,
They succeeded IN forcing the
French advanced line. " was admit
ted officially. But II was asserted
that they had met stone.walI de-
tense at the nccond line.
Mass of NazI Tanks
The Germans had masSed the
greatest concentration OF tanks since
the war started IN the region OF Al.
beyilIe. tThrce lines cenSored). But
the French had had ample time IN
more than 10 days 10 organize their
defensive positions IN depth, 30 that
under the ferocious tank attack
French infantry outpostS merely
withdrew two words censored)
where anti-tank guns and other ar
tillery have Zone word censored)
halted the German mechanical divi.
SionS mine words censored)
II was one OF their favorite turn.
Ing movements which the Germans
were cssaying, seeking 10 thrust
down toward L. Hayre and the low
er Seine by eXerting terrific concen.
tratcd pressure on the French left
wing.
On all but the Channel Amiens
section OF the line, II was asserted,
the French held fast
Throughout The night picked
French troops, newly trained IN
countcr-blitzsrlcg technique and
operating from secret strong points
hidden In forests, quarrieS and
marshes, had gone out TO attack
German tanks which yesterday had
penetrated mile deep into their
lines In parts OF the front.
II was asserted that numerous
German tanks had been DESTROYED
and II was Indicated that this part
OF the situation was well under con-
troll. II had been expected that the
tanks would make headway IN the
first phase OF the battle, but the
French hoped 10 isolate them and
wipe them out.
WeygaBd Gives View
Gen. Maxine Wcygand, Allied gen.
eralissii11o, vino for two weeks had
been preparing the French line for
this assault, gave his view OF the
general situation this morning
through the war Office with his ac-
custoncd terScness:
THE situation Is good enough.
The battle Is progressing according
to the scenario we expected. The
enemy has not yet aligned all Its
forces"
This meant that Weygand saw
battle as In It's opening phase only,
and expected Adolf Hitler, gambling
with the lives Of his men for a quick
victory, TO throw new and even
stronger forces into the biggest bat
tie since the World war.
This mornings high command
communiquc. No. 553 OF the war said:
THE battle was resumed at day
break this morning.
Enemy pressure continues, espe.
cially south Of the lower sommc,
where a slight retreat Of our adj
vance elements occurred.
"On the whole we have maintained
our positions on the remainder Of
the front attacked"
The German infantry went over
the top at 5 a. m. In an ever inten-
styling attack. In face Of the French
fire which met them as they started.
AS the right wing attacked between
Amiens and the sea, the remainder
OF the German forces attacked be-
tween Amiens and Peronne. across
the Aliette river, and along the canal
southwest Of Laon In the same Sec
tor.
En0rssantra RoreA NJ Tanka