The Archive · 1940

British Repulse Nazi Patrols

Unusual Activity Along BEF. Sector of West

Front; Germans Foiled London, Apr. 17.

There was unusual activity on the Western Front yesterday, when the Germans launched an Unsuccessful attack against a section of the British Maginot Line, and three small French columns made a highly successful raid on a German position west of the Vosges, capturing some prisoners, according to despatches from Reuter's correspondents with the BEF. and the French army.

The increasing unhealthiness of positions on the Western Front con-trests strangely with the relative calm of those in front of Luxembourg and Belgium, where a strange atmosphere ct expectancy prevails, with men always on the alert and transport. armoured cars and tanks in a position ready for instant movement, The German attack yesterday was preceded by the whistle and crash of shell fire making a rearward barrage, German troops then advanced through darkness, but the spirited defence of British infantrymen drove them back. Six German dead were found, and the British suffered some casualties, The French attack precipitated a hand-to-hand struggle inside the German post. German artillery then shelled its own position without regard for the lives of the Germans who were fighting to defend it.

The latest French communique says that on the part of the front held by British troops, "the enemy launchec an attack prepared and ace panied by artillery fire," while "in the region of the Saar, our artillery fired on enemy organizations. There was activity by our reconnaissance units to the east of the Vosges."—

Reuter, azi Drive on Namur Feared Brussels, Apr. 17.

Many inhabitants of Luxembourg fear that the Germans may soon launch an attack against Namur, strongly fortified Belgian town at the confluence of the Sambre with the Meuse, according to reports from Namur.

The Germans are reported to have put out 21 long pontoons in the Moselle, and a large number of German "tourists" are said to have recently entered Luxembourg.—Reuter,

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