SIEGFRIED LINE AND MOSELLE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24368, 21 September 1944, Page 5

SIEGFRIED LINE AND MOSELLE

Fresh U.S. Thrust Above Aachen SUPPLY RAILWAYS , BOMBED (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. United States Ist Amy forces are reported to have made another penetration into Germany just beyond Sittard (about 20 miles north-west of Aachen), which they captured yesterday. United States 9th Air Force Marauders and ’ Havocs yesterday afternoon attacked three key points on the Cologne-Aachen railway, which is one of the main supply routes for the Germans manning the Siegfried Line. The air assault was designed to support the American Ist Army’s advance towards Germany. Royal Air Force Lancasters last night heavily bombed the big transport centres of Muenchen-Gladbach and Reydt, on the railway from Aachen to Dusseldorf. The American 3rd Army is still meeting stiff resistance in the sector from Metz to Nancy, but there are signs that the enemy is weakening on the outer perimeter of Metz. "A fanatical German counter-attack with bayonets south-east of Nancy failed to shake the American drive eastwards," says the British United Press correspondent with the 3rd Army. “Many Nazis wer.e slaughtered. The attackers are believed to have consisted of S.S. fanatics, “The battle was very short. The Germans, who were described as either drunk, doped, or crazy, charged through the woods in the style of fighting seen in the last war. The Americans mowed them down with machineguns and rifles, It is believed that the S.S. youths took the situation into their own hands, without organised leadership. “United States infantry, with a spearhead of French armour, has crossed the Moselle above Epihal (40 miles south-east of Nancy), and has pushed to Charmes. “Other United States armour and infantry have pushed beyond Mazerulies (10 miles north-east of Nancy). The fighting here remains much the same, with armour slowly slogging its way forward. “Heavy opposition is still being encountered round Metz, where a heavy German counter-attack b'-low the city has been repulsed." “Last Bid” by Germans “German resistance has stiffened from Aachen southward to Metz,” says the correspondent of “The Times” on the Moselle front. “The Germans rre fighting with the tenacity of desperate men making a last all-out bid to avert the grim fate which they now see as an early possibility. “We are seeing at present their reaction to the alarm and despondency caused by the American penetration of the much-vaunted Siegfried Line and the Atlantic Wall. These brilliant and gallantly contrived American penetrations have discomfited the enemy considerably, and it is safe to assume that the news of them was disastrous for morale inside Germany. Hence the Nazis’ present determination to check the American advance. They are using everything from their scanty resources, and are standing firm regardless of casualties! “However, the Germans are standing firm only up to a point. When artillery, tanks, and flame-throwers have hammered the cross-firing pillboxes of the Siegfried Line for a certain time, and when Allied infantry finally mount on top of the pillboxes and rdvise surrender, the Germans usually take their advjcp “It would be difficult to overemphasise the ferocity of the present fighting and the bravery and determination of the Americans against the stubborn defence. The Germans are now using much light and hesvy artillery from commanding heights, and also plenty of mortars. The Americans to complete their mission, have required the utmost gallantry and resolution. The Germans’ repeated coun-ter-attacks, which are getting them nowhere, have emphasised the necessity for vigilance.” _ The British United Press correspondent with- the United States 3rd Army on the Moselle front says: “Himmler in the last few days personally inspected and harangued German troops on the Moselle front, He told them that reinforcements were coming up if they could hold on for a few more groups of Germans north-