Air-ßorne Forces Joined Near Eindhoven

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24367, 20 September 1944, Page 5

Air-Borne Forces Joined Near Eindhoven

POSITIONS CONSOLIDATED ** (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. “British armoured forces advanced about nine miles on Sunday and seven miles on Monday to link up with the air-borne forces near the Dutch town of Eindhoven,” said a statement from Supreme Headquarters yesterday. “British 2nd Army patrols are north and west of Eindhoven, most of which is still held by the enemy. “The British have established a third bridgehead across the Escaut Canal, due north of Lommel. Counter-attacks against the Gheel bridgehead have now ceased and our troops have lost touch with the enemy north of the bridgehead.” British armour had by-passed Eindhoven, reported a British United Press correspondent yesterday, but fighting was going on on three sides of the town, which the Germans were defending. A battle was also raging two and a half miles south of Eindhoven. Armoured forces had captured Aalst, three miles north of Walkenswaard (between Eindhoven and the frontier). Eindhoven is 10 miles from the Belgian frontier. It is ah important junction, with railways running through it to northern Holland and eastward to Duisburg and Essen. To-day’s communique from Supreme Headquarters says that the positions of the air-borne troops in Holland were consolidated and strengthened yesterday. German opposition to the advance of the ground forces was stubborn. In the area west of Antwerp, says the communique, Allied troops are advancing on Dutch soil against stiff opposition.

“The junction between American eir-borne forces and British advanced elements was made on the outskirts of an industrial town, in which German snipers are still holding out; but they are being dug out with bayonets and blasted with Bazookas," said a Combined Press representative with the American paratroops. “The Germans are fighting desperately for a chance to blow up the dozens of brid-p.s which are vital to our armoured progress in this canal-wrinkled country. “The Germans, many of whom are of school age, frequently blow up a bridge and then leave some of their own troops on the other side to face surrender or annihilation. They coun-ter-attacked against the paratroops on one perimeter last night and drove the Americans back several hundred yards; but Allied forces dug in on a canal bank and preserved the bridges they were holding. “Bad visibility restricted air operations all day. Allied air patrols are reported to have spotted three fairsized fighter formations, of which two planes were shot down and others vequipment, including fieldguns. was landed in Holland by gliders on Monday, says the Associated Press. “Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey’s armour, which leaped forward - across the Dutch border in a powerful co-ordinated blow with the Allied airborne invasion, has penetrated deep into the crust of the German defensive belt, which is crammed with massed 88’s and heavy anti-aircraft batteries employed as fixed defence artillery.” reported Reuter’s correspondent with the British 2nd Army yesterday. “They have taken Walkenswaard. on the mam road to Eindhoven, where the Gerr mans reported one of the main airborne landings. There is now a steady ofie-way traffic stream of armour, troops, end guns into Holland. “The first infantry crossed the frontier clinging to British tanks on Sunday afternoon. Two hundred yards ahead of them crept a killing barrage, moving at the rate of 200 yards a minute. Massed British artillery for 15 minutes poured shells into German gun positions in the woods across the .frontier. The spearheads were just approaching the frontier starting line when the guns pulled back 200 yards to give a strip of thicket woodland a concentrated three-minute shelling. Bombers and fighters simultaneously roared down in terrifying succession and smashed German emplacements. “Suddenly the men moying forward i aw another cheering sight. watched string after string.of tmj smudges cross the sky dose to the horizon. They were unmistakably eliders. Thus Lieutenant-General Dempsey’s men learned that ano^® r attack against Holland was under way. “The British attacked with the certainty that they were on the last Jap to the Reich. They had been playing football on the banks of the Escaut Canal a few hours before they struck. Thev attacked to the tune of Onward, Christian Soldiers’ blaring from the radio of a wayside Belgian house, ine commander of the whole operation was cut in front to give the word, Go. “The attack started on schedule, after which progress was constant, n not spectacular. The first told the British that there were atleast 60 heavy gun emplacements ahead, defended by paratroops and infantry, but beyond these there was no* ung. ALLIED MILITARY GOVERNMENT OCCUPIED AREAS OF GERMANY ENDING NAZI REGIME 18.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 18. Plans for governing those parts of Germany brought under the control of the wester,. Allies hav- been broadcast to the people of western and southern Germany on the authority of General Eisenhower. The destruction of National Socialism and the removal from responsible posts of all members of the National Socialist Party and of the S.S.. and others who have played a leading part in National Socialism. Will be among the prime objectives of the Allied Military Government which Will be established in Germany under General Eisenhower. General Eisenhower will exercise supreme legislative, judicial, and excutive authority by neans of the Allied Military Government, which he Will set up under the powers vested in him as Supreme Commander and Mili- , tary Governor. The immediate task of this Governnient during military operations will he to secure the communications ot me Allied armies and to suppress any i activities in occupied areas of Germany which could hinder the speedy conclusion ot the war. The task of Oestroying National Socialism will be simultaneous with the furthering of military operations, and will begin imAllied armies frrive in tarv ~ rea anc * control by the MiliS Government is inaugurated. , n 6 civilian population has been inea *° continue as far as possible “icjr normal occupations.

(Rec. 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 19. To-day’s communique from Supreme Allied Headquarters says; “The landing of air-borne troops in Holland continued yesterday. Supplies were also landed and our positions were consolidated and strengthened. Operations are proceeding. “Our ground forces in one area have already linked with the airborne troops. , x , , “Fighters and fighter-bombers in advance of air-borne operations attacked flak-boats and flak Positions troops, and transport. Other lighters maintained patrols and provided escort and cover for transport planes and gliders. „ , , “More than 70 flak-boats and flak positions were put out of action. Many motor and horse-drawn vehicles were destroyed. An ammunition dump was blown up. "Opposition against our ground troops was stubborn. “Allied troops in the area west of Antwerp, now fighting on Dutch soil, are advancing in spite of still opcontinues in Boulogne, where we made further progress into the town. , TT u , “Our troops in southern Holland advanced north-west from Maastricht against resistance from enemy infantry, artillery, and dug-in tanks. Elements further east reached Übachberg and Simpelveld against moderate resistance. “Hard fighting continues in Aachen. We have cleared the town of Busbach, seven miles south-east of Aachen. Units to the north-east met strong opposition. “Mopping up of German elements is in progress east of Roetgen, across the border from Eupen, and we have captured Hofen, 17 miles south-east of Aachen. .' , “Our forces in Germany east of St. Vith (just north of the Luxemburg border) are meeting stiffening resistance and increasing artillery fire “Brandscheid has been taken and we have advanced to Hontheim, four miles north-west of Prum and six miles east of the border. “Our armoured units moving across the Luxemburg-German frontier have taken the town of Huttingen, 20 miles north-west of Trier and three miles inside the frontier. “In the Moselle valley we have further reinforced our troops east of the river. ~ , "Our troops west of the Belfort Gap, in an advance of more than five miles eastward from St. Loup, entered the town of Fougerolles, five miles north of Luxeuil. An enemy attack near Pont de Roide (south of Belfort) was repulsed. “According to reports so far received 32 enemy aeroplanes were destroyed in yesterday’s- over-all air operations. Thirty-three of our fighters are missing.”