Paris, May 14. ENCH mechanized forces on the central Belgian front today] inflicted terrific losses on German mechanized columns in a great battle south-east of Tirlemont and Saint Trond and north of Suxy, French military sources revealed.
The Germans were completely checked at all points, they said.
The Liege forts, which the Germans claimed to have captured, were still resisting despite heavy Nazi artillery fire, these sources declared.
French military observers announced last night that Allied aerial action and French mechanized forces had halted the German advance west of Maastright and that the Allies were holding Tongres, With the German thrust across central Holland apparently. almost Teaching the North Sco, Britain to~ day rushed preparations to meet with what was freely predicted as the "next phase of the war," the bomb= ing of land objectives in Britain and perhaps a German aerial invasion of the British Isles, Observers said Germany. was concentrating on. the consolidation of positions in the Netherlands in order obtain alr bases within 100, miles of the English coast and then imme-Glately seoke a counter menace to the British Ale Force, which is worrying German troops in the low countries campaign—United Press, Germans Enter Sedan, Longwy Paris, May 14.
Operations along the Meuse have developed into a terriNe battle with the Germans attacking both north and south of Liege. Up till today, fighting was stilt limited to vanguard contacts but it has since developed ino the greatest battle of the present war, The Germans have entered the towns of Sedan and Longwy and are making considerable use of tanks, artillery and their air force, which constantly attacks French positions: with bombs and machine-guns. The Allied and German air forces are also engaged in hard struggle, North of Liege, the Germans are pushing' towards Rotterdam; the fall of which Is, considered Imminent.
The German attack is developing with Increased violence, this morning's French General Staff emmunique a nounced. The enemy has reached the Mouse River along a line extending from Liege to Namur and Sedan, Sedan has "been evacuated and Aghting fs in progress in the mediate viduity as well os in the region north of Dinant, the communique added. A battle is raging from the southern outskirts of, Longwy to the Moselle. Enemy attacks have been repulsed in the Wissomburg region.
The German attack south of Lee seems to be the stronger of the two. The Reich's units on this front con: Sist of infantry supported by at least two armoured divisions which are paving the way for the former by crossing the Moselle through Laembourg, These German "columns forced the detachments of Relyian Chasseurs Ardennals, strengthened by 4 few light motortzd units to with raw.
Since yesterday morning German detachments have "been appearing along the whole flow of the Meuse from Liege to Sedan, They reached the Prench frontier and an extremely violent fight Is occurring in the advanced sections of the French for-titled line which extends from the North Sea to the Maginot Line proper, "Our troops are fighting gallantly everywhere against the enemy, who is making a most intense effort chiefly means of tanks and the alr force," the French communique stated. Sixteen more German planes "were brought down yesterday.—Havas, Liege Believed Lost London, May 14, Although there is no official confirmation yet, it is understood that the fort of Emacl, North of Liege, has fallen into German hands. However, it is expected that Liege itself wil hold out for some time.
There Is also no confirmation of the report that German parachutist have landed behind the British Lines in, France, "The Germans are attacking violently in the southern part of Holland and the' situation is undoubtedly Belgium, British and French} troops are ce-operating with the Bel-atlan forces to protect Brussels. violent battle is expected to take place shortly east' of the Belgian Brussels Remains Calm Minister wilt leave the capital. The capital remains calm. All shops are open and cafes at certain hours of the day. Traffic Is normal and considerable activity" prevails.
Powerful French reinforcements have been owing into Belgian ter~ tilery during the past 48 hours. Strong resistance put up by the Bei glans enabled the Allies to operate their "junction under favourable conditions, Tt is believed that the Allies are about to lat inch a powerful counter~ offensive in which every type of arm will be used.
The German High Command has ordered some 6,000 or 7,000 planes to attack Belgian territory _pitilessly without discriminating between military and non-military objectives. As a Fesult, Belgian open towns were conatantiy attacked yesterday, while Liege has been subjected to a'terrifte bombing attack for the past twelve hours, Tuge fires broke out at Namur og a result of the German alr raids, German parachutists are continuing to Jand in Brussels itself, and many of them have been literally torn to pieces by the inhabitants. One landed near the Belgian news agency at noon and was lynched by a crowd. A train transporting German. prisoners was al lacked at Tournal by German planes, Twenty out of the 050 prisoners were
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