FIERCE TANK BATTLE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24280, 10 June 1944, Page 5

FIERCE TANK BATTLE

CANADIANS IN ACTION PENETRATIONS INLAND (N.2. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, ( June 9. A roaring tank battle raged ( for nearly three hours on Wednesday as Canadian armour and infantry prevented the German battle group from seriously penetrating the perimeter, reports a correspondent of the Combined Press. The Canadians, on another part of the front, are bracing themselves for a German counterIn the last 24 hours they met several German armoured infantry thrusts aimed at probing the perimeter. The Canadians dug in deep on lire slopes and- are holding off the German attacks made with 30 to 35 tanks at a time. Thanks to strong support from our tanks and massed artillery, the Canadians from one position can see the Germans milling round to the south as they assemble for new efforts.* , . , ... Another correspondent states that Canadians have pushed inland over rich farmland and along narrow macadam roads to points some miles from the coast. From one area German infantry and guns , are. reported, to be withdrawing in face of persistent Canadian attacks. American troops are reported to be in action on the right flank. There is fighting on a lateral road running from St. Mere Eglise. One Allied division is claimed to have taken 1000 prisoners. Apparently the Allied forces are now getting on into open country. It was learned at Allied Headquarters yesterday that the first phase of the invasion—securing a foothold and defeating local enemy reserves—has been successfully accomplished. The second phase—the consolidation of the Allied foothold—is now in progress, and it involves the engagement of German tactical reserves brought up to the immediate vicinity of the battle area. The third phase will be the engagement of the German strategical reserves. They must be defeated before the invasion forces can hope for a substantial strategical advantage. Fresh Allied landings on the French beaches continued yesterday as the troops inland beat back repeated counter-attacks from German reserves, states, the correspondent of the Associated Press with the 21st Army Group Headquarters. Inland, the troops captured a number of beetle tanks and self-propelled hornet guns which were thrown in to stem the Allied attacks.

The Germans, are reported to be dropping paratroops at unnamed points along the coast. “New massive glider paratroop landings have been made in the Falaise area," reports the Vichy radio. “Bloody fighting is proceeding all over the landing, areas, particularly in the Carentan sector. More landings have been made on the eastern side of Cherbourg peninsula. British tanks are pressing on from Bayeux to try to link up with forces in the Carentan-St. Mere Eglise are?. German counter-attacks west of the Orne are proceeding according to plan. Two American air-borne divisions, established on the CarentanValognes road, have been reinforced by strong parachute forces.” The Official German News Agency reports that a new Allied invasion fleet moved into the Seine Bay last night. German bombers have systematically attacked it. OVEROPTIMISM DANGER MR CHURCHILL ISSUES WARNING LONDON. June 8. The Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) in the House of Commons, said that he did not propose to make any statement on the battles in northern France today, and he would not do so unless something exceptional turned up. All the points that had occurred to him had been fully met in the excellent newspaper reports. He added; “I hope that when members go to their constituencies at the week-end they will not only maintain morale as far as that is necessary, but will give strong warnings against overoptimism and against the idea that these things are going to be settled in a rush. Remember, that although great dangers lie behind, enormous exertions lie before us."

Mr Churchill did not reply to a questioner, who asked for an assurance that the reason why he was not making a statement in the near future was not that he was going to visit the coast of France.