VAIN ATTACK

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

VAIN ATTACK

CANADIANS RETIRE Heavy Fog Prevents Vital Aerial Support Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 1. Reuters Normandy" correspondent says the Canadians on the left flank east of the Orne, captured the bitterly defended German strongpoint at Tilly la Campagne, some five miles south of Caen, but were forced to withdraw from the village in the face of a determined German counter-attack. The correspondent says the Canadian attack was launched at 2.30 a.m. in pitch darkness, which made it impossible to distinguish friend from foe. Some Canadians from the west actually passed through the northern section of Tilly la Campagne and arrived in the Canadian lines to the north-east and were directed back to the Caen-Fallaise road, from which they again attacked. There was heavy fog when dawn broke, limiting visibility to a few feet and making it impossible for Typhoon fighters to support the infantry or artillery to lay down accurate fire. The fog lifted at noon, but visibility was still poor.

The Germans were reported to have had 15 tanks dug in inside the village. These were difficult to contact, so the Canadians withdrew to the railway just west of the village. Artillery by afternoon pounded the already wrecked village. Meanwhile other Canadians had moved from the north to a ridge commanding the village.

While the attack was going on at Tilly, French Canadians attacked the Germans, who had infiltrated into the outskirts of St. Martin de Fontenay, three miles to the west near, the River Orne. Thirty Germans had dug themselves in in the church on the southern outskirts and wild fighting ensued when the Canadians rushed through the church doors with Sten guns. Eight Germans were captured and the remainder killed.

South-south-east of Caumont the British thrust has taken the town of St. Pierre du Fresne. Fighting on an increased scale is reported from the area south pf Caen.

Yesterday's British offensive was made in a four-pronged movement, says a war correspondent in Normandy. "It is the fourth prong—the armoured push on the extreme right —which has joined up with the Americans. Good progress was also made to-day by two of the other three prongs."