TRAP FOR SEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 177, 28 July 1944, Page 5

TRAP FOR SEVEN GERMAN DIVISIONS

VS. BREAK-THROUGH Cherbourg Peninsula Drive Gains Momentum N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, July 27. American forces thrusting westward of captured Camprond, Canisy, Periers and Lessay are within five miles of Coutances, and are threatening to trap at least seven German divisions, says Reuters correspondent. Coutances is within artillery range and an effort is being made to close the trap on the Germans. About half the entire German force on the American front, including the 2nd and 17th S.S. Panzer Divisions, is threatened with being entrapped. The Germans are frantically trying to withdraw from the pocket, and their resistance, except for rearguards, is described as sporadic, disorganised and chaotic. An American spokesman described the break-through as "complete." Tanks Stirge South The American tank column which seized Marigny is continuing to surge south without meeting serious opposition. American tanks, after passing Canisy, which is two miles south of St. Gilles, have now begun to fan out, widening the corridor north of Canisy and sweeping eastward. Crushing Allied blows from land and air threw back two counterattacks in the last 12 hours against Canadian positions in Verrieres area. Rommel, after rocket Typhoons had smashed the Mark IV. Tiger tanks which were lining up "in front of Roquancourt, attempted infantry thrusts through cornfields. This silent move, which was carried out in moonlight without artillery preparation, was also countered, this time in sharp grenade and machinegun fighting, which forced the Germans to retire.

Reuters correspondent with the Americans says fighter-bombers, closely supporting the American armoured forces advancing in the Marigny sector, destroyed 19 tanks and probably destroyed 20. A Staff officer commented: "There is no doubt we inflicted great damage on the enemy in this sector."

The blitzkrieg has come again to France, says The Times correspondent with the United States forces this evening, but this time it is tearing a way through the German forces who are fast losing what living space they still hold on Cherbourg Peninsula. Already General Bradley's offensive looks like being a classic in pattern, mode, speed and execution.

Infantry, after overcoming stiff initial opposition, tore a gap in the German defences, after which armour poured through. The main armoured force was eight miles from the starting point in little more than 12 hours. The rate of advance far exceeds the pace of the thrust which led to the fall of Cherbourg. The speed and power of this attack have overwhelmed the Germans.

Prisoners Tired and Hungry

Most of the prisoners were very tired and hungry. One batch said that they had not eaten for four days.

General Bradley's drive looks more like a real break-through than any manoeuvre since the landings, the British United Press correspondent says. American tanks have reached la Chapelle, four miles and a half from Coutances. The offensive is now rolling forward fast. An entire enemy corps has been sent reeling back.

The Americans have captured dozens of villages in the last 24 hours and took prisoner more than 2000 Germans. Armoured columns have so far penetrated seven and twelve miles respectively from the starting points. The Air Force is taking an increasing part in the bombing of German tanks retreating south-west. Rommel held back panzer formations on Caen front all day and conducted a defensive war following an expensive night and early morning of tank-supported attacks, says Reuters correspondent with the British forces. The line south of Caen is unchanged, although the Canadians strengthened their positions and brought up more artillery. The Air Force disorganised the German coun-ter-thrusts before they were under way. More than 20 Mark IV. Tiger tanks were knocked out in the last 24 hours. There has been no resumption of these attacks.