FIERCEST FIGHTING FOR GERMAN PORTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 101, 1 May 1945, Page 5

FIERCEST FIGHTING FOR GERMAN PORTS

BRITISH, CANADIANS Push Beyond Elbe Goes Well N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, April 30. The fighting on the Canadian front is fiercest in front of the armoured drive towards Wilhelmshaveri, says the Exchange Telegraph correspondent. The fighting in this sector is stated to be a "real battle." The Germans have brought up a number of self-propelled guns. The British are mopping up between' Bremen and Delmenhorst, while the infantry clearing the woods south of Oldenburg are meeting only moderate opposition. Reuters correspondent with the Second Army across the Elbe says the British operation has been a magnificent success. The bridgehead is growing fast. The British Second Army, which has driven six miles beyond. the Elbe, has captured Gulzow, five miles north-west of Lauenberg, and lengthened the bridgehead to seven miles. American airborne troops, fighting under the British command, crossed the Elbe ten miles upstream from Lauenberg. The Guards Armoured Division captured the Sandbostel prison camp. The Guards, advancing to the outskirts of Bremervorde, were delayed by road demolitions, .for which German marines used sea mines. Washington military observers express the opinion that the European fighting may be practically over for some American . divisions, but to-night battles were still ahead for the British and Canadians in ousting the Germans from the North German ports and from Holland and Denmark, and possibly Norway. Observers believe that if the resistance is prolonged the American Ninth Army may be sent in to help the British and Canadians.