U.S. TANK COLUMNS SWEEP INTO BRITTANY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 5

U.S. TANK COLUMNS SWEEP INTO BRITTANY

NEW PUSH LAUNCHED Penetration Carried To 39-Mile Depth Rec. noon. LONDON, Aug. 1. American tank columns are sweeping on from Pontaubault, south of Avranches, into Brittany, according to a United States spokesman. The German attempt to cut off the American spearhead near Avranches has been definitely beaten off. The spokesman said a German attempt to break into the American lines north of Tessy sur Vire might have succeeded and the entire American advance been halted if new divisions recently thrown in by the Germans had arrived a week earlier.

The new push, made on the seventh day of the break-through, has put the Americans at one point some 39 miles deep into enemy territory from their starting point along the Lessay-Periers-St. Lo road.

The German counter-assault, into which they had thrown three divisions, was last night reported to have been definitely stopped. This German push once reached a depth of five miles on the west bank of the Vire.

The Americans, in addition to Ducey, Pontaubault and Brecey, have taken Montgother, eight miles southeast of Avranches. The Selune River was crossed at several points.

The Americans, says the Associated Press, besides seizing three dams, seized a bridge over the Selune River.

Important Progress Made

Further important progress both east and west of the Normandy line is reported to-night, states British Official Wireless. The thrusts to Portaubault and Ducey were made by reconnaissance units with armour, says a correspondent at Supreme Headquarters. Fighting continues in the back areas north of Avranches, but the region of 1 the advance is substantially ours. The Allies made progress to within half a mile of Villedieu, seven miles south-east of Gavray.

The road from Villedieu to Percy has been cut and United States forces are reported to be in the town of Percy. They have also made an important gain east of Percy to within 1500 yards of the main road to Caen. Allied formations firmly hold Torigny sur Vire and have pushed one mile and a half south.

The bulge south-west of Caumont has been considerably extended. British troops have crossed the Souluvre River. They have also established a bridgehead across the river at Lebeny Bocage, half a mile south-east of this, which represents a gain south of Caumont of some 11 miles since yesterday morning.

Foret Levque is entirely in our possession. Progress was also made 2000 yards south of St. Martin des Besaces.