NORMANDY FIGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 134, 8 June 1944, Page 6

NORMANDY FIGHT

GERMAN VERSIONS

Reported Allied "Attempt" To Land In Pas de Calais N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9.30 a.m. LONDON, June 7. The German news agency quoted a Berlin military spokesman saying that the battle of Normandy began early to-day. Massed formations of German operational reserves assembled overnight and are now attacking the landing area at Caen and Bayeux with terrific ferocity. The German High Command waited during the first day to see how the enemy plan would materialise and has now given its orders. The news agency said the enemy bridgehead was extending on either side of the Orne River, was now about 20 miles wide, and in some points about six miles deep.

To-day's German High Command communique states that enemy landing operations between Le Havre and Cherbourg yesterday were supported by strong naval forces all day. "Numerous airborne forma-

tions which descended in the rear of our coastal defences had the mission of helping the landing and preventing the Germans bringing up reserves," the communique stated. "Most of the airborne troops have been wiped out. Large losses were also inflicted by anti-aircraft guns during the airborne troops' descent. Most Bridgeheads Smashed Up "The enemy at several points succeeded in gaining a foothold but most of his bridgeheads have been smashed up by counter-attacks. Heavy fighting against the major enemy forces flared up on either side of the mouth of the Orne River, also north .of Carentan, where the enemy, who had suffered heavy losses, succeeded in holding the bridgeheads." The German news agency stated that the Allies in daylight to-day made a fresh attack across the Straits of Dover in the Pas de Calais region to land troops on the coast from amphibious landing-craft. German long-range naval guns, according to an official Berlin spokesman, shelled the enemy ships. The result of the fire could not be observed as the enemy put up a smoke-screen. Enemy vessels approached the Straits of Dover from the north. The Allies yesterday attempted to get across the Channel in daylight at the narrowest point, about 25 miles, in width. Berlin Radio Version Berlin radio gives another version. It says: "Very heavy long-range naval guns in the Pas de Calais went into action, at 10.30 to-day against enemy ships which approached from the north. The enemy immediately used artificial smoke-screens, and the effect of the firing, therefore, could not be observed. This was the second time the enemy had made a mass attempt to bring ships to the invasion theatre through the Straits."

Reuters correspondent at SHAEF, commenting on these German reports, recalls Mr. Churchill's words in the House of Commons a few weeks ago, when he said: "There would be many feints and stratagems." The correspondent points out that the enemy story does not indicate that an actual landing occurred. It only referred to an "attempt." The Exchange Telegraph Company reports that for nearly two hours this morning the Germans' big guns on the French coast fired across the Straits of Dover. The shelling was heavier than yesterday. Salvoes of shells burst in the Dover area and the explosions vibrated along the coast for many miles. Berlin radio reported that a second daylight invasion attempt at Pas de Calais was opposed this morning by German long-range artillery. Earlier reports from Folkestone stated that German long-range guns fired across the Straits of Dover for nearly two hours.