ANOTHER ARNHEM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 2, 3 January 1945, Page 4

ANOTHER ARNHEM

BASTOGNE DEFENCE

MORE FORTUNATE OUTCOME

LONDON, Dec. 29. Another Arnhem, but with a far more fortunate outcome, was the comparison that leapt to the mind when Allied Supreme Headquarters announced the relief of Bastogne, writes a correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald from Belgium.

The Germans had attacked the garrison with forces ranging up to two infantry regiments and a large number of tanks on at least two occasions, but the American defenders exacted a heavy toll; in some of the bitterest fighting of this war.

Bastogne, as the first big road and rail centre on the southern edge of the German offensive, was absolutely essential to ensure rapid extension and consolidation of the enemy's 1-oft flank. If there are to be "brickbats" as a result of the Germans' - initial break-through, there should also be a bouquet for the leader who got a scratch American unit so quickly into this vital area and who so magnificently organised its defence.

As for the troops themselves, the fighting qualities they displayed in their. w£ek;s..;..Ji;esistan.ee are beyond

praise. ■<■•[■: ,'■:-' ; f. ,; '■■-;'-', \\;f ; \ The Bastogne achievement, 6bupIcd with Allied gains on a wide front between Martelange, Diekirch, and Echternach, where the terrain makes an advance from the south very difficult, gave the picture of the Ardennes battle a more pleasing aspect than any since the enemy failed to > break our defences in the Monschau-Mahnedy sector. ': -

On the northern side of the bulge the Germans are striking hard, in a series of stabs rather than uniformly, just east of Grandmenil in an effort to gain control of an important road network, and also three miles east of Marche and around Humaine and Havrenne, both of which are three miles north of Rochefort and the same distance west of Marche. - . . ?•.

.In the sseetoiv'forming the western extremity of the bulge there are signs that the enemy's supply and reinforcement position is not satisfactory.

Seventeen tanks and self-propel-led guns were abandoned by the enemy in the western sector for lack of fuel, and in several places, including Celles and Ciney, we have pushed back enemy armour which was milling . around searching .for soft spots.