Satisfactory Progress

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24278, 8 June 1944, Page 5

Satisfactory Progress

HEAVY FIGHTING; AIR ATTACKS INCREASE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 7. “Allied forces continued landing on the northern coast of France yesterday. Satisfactory progress was made,” says communique No. 3, issued by Supreme Allied Headquarters to-day. “Rangers and Commandos formed part of the landing forces.” No further attempts were made by enemy naval forces to interfere with the landings, says the communique. Some German coast batteries are still in action and are being shelled by Allied warships. Air-borne operations were resumed successfully last night. From dawn yesterday to dawn to-day the Allied air forces flew the record number of 13,000 sorties. At twilight yesterday heavy bombers attacked roads, bridges, and railways in the battle area. Twenty-six enemy aircraft were destroyed; one Allied bomber and 17 fighters did not return. Fighters, with complete success, maintained air cover over the landing forces. Last night more than 1000 Royal Air Force heavy bombers attacked bridges, roads, and railways from 15 to 40 miles inland from the beaches. Each target was attacked by a strong force. The object of the bombing was to block enemy reinforcements moving to the battle area. Other messages from Supreme Headquarters say that there was heavy fighting yesterday, and very heavy fighting at some places. Vast air-borne operations are still being carried out. A fighter pilot said he saw hundreds more gliders in the fields of Normandy, but the troops themselves seemed to have disappeared into the surrounding country.

The Germans say that the Allies, with masses of men and material, are still gaining tactical successes in the Gaen area.

“The Allies have occupied 50 miles of the French coast and fiave penetrated in some places 12 miles,” says the Associated Press. “The Americans are rapidly moving inland towards the air-borne troops landed in the first phase of the invasion. The weather, which has been one of the main problems, was not quite so bad early this morning. A wind was whipping up waves in the Channel, and some American smai (raft were swamped.

“Up to early this morning no' definite information was :J available about progress in France,” says Reuters correspond dtnt at Supreme Allied Headquarters. “All that can be said at I the moment is that oUr forces are fighting strongly under a complete air umbrella which covers not only the troops but the vast force of craft now moving freely backward and forward across tive Channel.” The correspondent adds that though the weather is forcing I Allied aeroplanes to bomb at dangerously low levels, it is not I hailing their efforts in the least. JA United States Air Force communique says: “In yesterday’s operations against thfe invasion coast, lasting from dawn to dusk, the Bth United States Air Force destroyed 30 enemy , aeroplanes for the loss of live bombers and 25 fighters. I “More than 2600 bomber sorties and 1700 fighter sorties I were flown in four separate missions. I “Enemy air resistance was weak and in some places nonexistent. Flak was also generally meagre, but one formation encountered a heavy rocket barrage. “The 9th United Slates Air Force’s losses yesterday were j three Marauders, two Havocs, eight fighter-bombers, and lo i troop-carriers.” The first Red Cross train with wounded from the invasion >! front ran through eastern England last night,