SECOND ENTRY INTO GERMANY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 217, 13 September 1944, Page 5

SECOND ENTRY INTO GERMANY

Thrust Near Eupe^

NEARLY ALL LUXEMBURG NOW IN ALLIED HANDS

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.—Roc. 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, September 12,

A second crossing of the German frontier has been made by the American First Army due east of the Belgian town of Eupen, which is about six miles from the border and ten miles south of Aachen, states Supreme Headquarters. The advancing troops have not met any definite German defence line but only scattered opposition. The second breach of the German frontier followed shortly after the liberation of the Belgian towns of Eupen and Malmedy. It is about 65 miles north of the original crossing which was made yesterday. The British Second Army, working in close collaboration with the Americans, is now within ten miles of the German frontier. The British have extended their hold on the main road across the Albert Canal and are across the canal in such strength that the Germans can do nothing but fall back to the frontier. German artillery destroyed the first bridge which the British had taken across the Albert Canal, but it was repaired before the Germans could attack again. An American armoured division entered Germany in strength to-day after its forward elements had crossed the frontier at 6.10 p.m. yesterday, says the Associated Press correspondent with the American forces In Germany. In this first message from a correspondent in Germany the Associated Press representative says American tanTss sprang forward this morning in a series of strong, audacious thrusts. Orders for this historic invasion of Germany were issued from a bare barracks building, which a few hours earlier housed German troops. The American armoured drive penetrated the Reich on the 26th anniversary of the great American offensive at St. Mihiel m 1918. The British United Press correspondent at the headquarters of the Twelfth Army Group says that almost the whole of the Duchy of Luxemburg is now in our hands.

The Exchange Telegraph Company correspondent at Supreme Headquarters says it is possible that the first major battle for the Siegfried Line will soon occur. General Hodge's First Army troops must soon meet the enemy troops defending this section of the West Wall. The Daily Mail says the capture, of Malmedy, 25 miles south-east of Liege, gives the American First Army its second foothold in the Siegfried Line, which is plainly visible. Germans can be seen moving into lines of concrete pillboxes and bunkers. The Associated Press correspondent on the German-Luxem-burg frontier says the Americans who have thrown the Germans from Luxemburg are now a mile from Germany. Malmedy was annexed from Belgium and incorporated in Germany in 1940. It is nine miles inside the frontier.