EASTERN FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 5

EASTERN FRANCE

AMERICAN OFFENSIVE

Progress Made Against Heavy

Resistance

N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 3. The American offensive, which has driven through Hurtgen Forest, in the Aachen sector, was renewed this morning, says Reuters correspondent with the American First Army. Progress was made against heavy resistance. The ferocity of the fighting in this area is exemplified by the fact that the town of Vossenack has been completely levelled. American infantrymen to-day captured Schmidt a village two miles south-east of • Vossenack, and overlooking the Roer River, adds Reuters correspondent. The American advance is meeting strong resistance from dug-in positions, but once the Germans are rooted out of then pillboxes they give up easily. Prisoners of whom hundreds weie taken to-day, were mostly young and Ph Foggy y and overcast conditions reduced air support. The German news agency commentator, Sertorius, said that the American Third, Seventh and Ninth Armies were massing for a grand assault against the Saar. The Ninth Army he said, had taken over some of the Seventh Army front aiound Belfort, and Seventh Army forces had been moved farther north. Thud Army troops are deeply staggered and closely bunched on both sides of I Metz.