ALLIED SPEED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 182, 3 August 1944, Page 5

ALLIED SPEED

BATTLE OF BRITTANY

Americans Beyond Pontorson And Over Selune River N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 2. American spearheads have begun the battle of Brittany after reaching Pontorson and fanning out across the Selune River. It was thought the Germans might use the high ground south of the See River for a defence line but the capture of Brecey and the crossing of the See robbed thereof this opportunity. Since the American drive began a week ago, General Bradley's armour has advanced more than 50 miles. His troops have taken more than 18,000 prisoners and have inflicted heavy casualties. In one pocket north of Avranches the Germans lost 4500 men killed and more than 500 vehicles. The situation south-west of Caumont is developing significantly. German tanks, which occupy Bois du Homme in some strength, were used unsuccessfully against the British drive but had a harassing effect north of Beny Boc'age. Despite this the Allies widened their bridgehead across the Souleuvre River to a mile. It is now big enough to hold for forces in offensive strength to cross the best German defence line in that area and move to better country southwards. Illustrating the speed of the Allied advance south from Caumont yesterday, Reuters correspondent says the Army asked for a target to be bombed, but before errangements could be made the troops were already beyond the target and the bombing had to be cancelled. "Packs of United States tanks have deeply penetrated the German rear in Normandy and at some points the last semblance of a coherent front line has disappeared," states a Berlin military spokesman quoted by the German overseas news agency. "There is no doubt that the German anti-invasion divisions are undergoing a very severe test in the face of a determined Allied attempt to smash through the German lines. "The fury of the battle raging on a 60-mile front is gradually approaching an unprecedented crescendo. Fast-moving German squads have been thrown into battle to counteract the American tank columns. Violent battles raged last night on each side of the Caen-Falaise road. British spearheads are heading toward Vire." Twenty-seven German divisions have been identified in Normandy. Twelve are facing the British troops and 15 are facing the Americans. All the enemy divisions on the American front have been badly mauled except the 3rd Paratroop, 266 th Infantry and 116 th Panzer Divisions, which are comparatively fresh. There are also five comparatively fresh infantry divisions on the British front and about 70 per cent of the available German panzer divisions. RUSSIA AND POLAND EXCHANGE OP ENVOYS LONDON, Aug. 2. The Moscow radio announces that the Soviet Government has exchanged representatives with the Polish Committee of National Libera'tion. '