BITTER FIGHTING IN HOLLAND

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 7

BITTER FIGHTING IN HOLLAND

Air-Bome Forces Under

Heavy Pressure

STRONG ENEMY ELEMENTS OPPOSE 2nd ARMY

(N.2. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 22.

There is bitter fighting all along the British corridor in Holland, now extending north of the bridgehead across the Waal at Nijmegen. The latest report, from a 8.8.C. correspondent, says that forward elements of the British 2nd Army have forged forward towards the air-borne forces west of Arnhem, but the British are meeting strong elements of German infantry and anti-tank artillery. The air-borne forces are holding strong positions west of Arnhem, and the 2nd Army’s artillery is shelling German positions in the area. The air-borne forces themselves are under very heavy pressure and are being heavily mortared and shelled by the enemy. But they are holding out and are in good heart.

For the fourth day running air-borne reinforcements and supplies were delivered to the Arnhem bridgehead yesterday. A Supreme Headquarters spokesman said yesterday that the airborne forces fighting in the Arnhem area had a difficult job and had done magnificently to hold their positions. There was no confirmation of the Paris radio report that the troops from the south had linked up with the air-borne forces at Arnhem. The report was certainly premature.

Relentless fighting is raging at Arnhem, where the Allied paratroop force has been encircled since Monday. The latest message to come out of Arnhem was received in London this morning. It had been sent by a correspondent lant night, and it said:— “Second Army guns have just started shelling enemy targets which wc have signalled, “On this, the fifth day, our force Is still being heavily subjected to mortar fire, sniping, machine-gun-ning, and shelling. They are being asked to do more than flash and blood should have to endure, but they are holding on and fighting magnificently. * “When the 2nd Army arrives and relieves this crowd, they may be told one of the epics of the war. In the meantime, they just go on fighting their hearts out. “The Germans have brought up loudspeakers and megaphones and are calling on us to surrender, and a bunch of British glider pilots are yelling their heads off. swearing abusive replies. ‘‘More 2nd Army guns are coming into action. They have just knocked out, by a direct hit, a German Mark IV tank which w r as advancing to attack us. More suplies came in this evening by Dakotas, which flew through a cracking flak barrage to land them just where they were needed.”

“Air reconnaissance has reported German transports moving east from Arnhem,” reported Reuter’s correspondent with the air-borne forces on Thursday. "Reinforcements 'and supplies were again dropped in Holland, especially in the Arnhem area on Thursday afternoon, for the fourth day in succession.

“Good news came on Wednesday hearten the air-borne men in the Arnhem area who have been fighting so desperately without sleep and ringed rdund by Germans for the last three days and nights,” reported a correspondent with the air-borne units yesterday. “At 6 p.m. the word was flashed round that British 2nd Army patrols had been sighted over the river. Other reports said that the 2nd Army was not more than five miles away. Nothing is confirmed, but it is certain that the Germans round them were in range of the 2nd Army guns. “More supplies came by parachute that evening. The sky had cleared and there was no doubt that they were dropped in the right place. The packages came crashing down through the trees and the troops had fine fighter support from Spitfires and Thunderbolts. Rocket-firing Typhoons dealt with enemy 88’s and anti-aircraft guns, which put up a tremendous barrage against the supply aeroplanes. “There is still tough fighting but the general feeling is that the worst is over for the air-borne troops and the worst in store for the Germans.” Capture of Bridge The Germans defending the Nijmegen bridge set demolition charges, says a Supreme Headquarters report, but the Allied air-borne forces reached the bridge before the Germans could demolish it.

“The bridge over the Waal at Nijmegen, a mile and a half long, was captured intact on Wednesday evening,” says the Brussels correspondent of the National Broadcasting Company. “The fact that the Germans did not blow it up shows their complete ignorance of the situation which began to develop on Sunday. American air-borne forces landed near the bridge on Sunday for the purpose of capturing it if possible, but enemy resistance proved tough. “After a four days’ battle for the bridge a plan was devised which was made possible by the rapid advance of the British armour. American airborne troops landed on the southern bank of the Waal and were fended to the northern side, and by last evening they were ready for the assault. Simultaneously, British tanks moved up to the southern approaches of the bridge. Squeeze pressure was applied from the north and south against the German garrison holding the bridge, and soon afterwards British tanks passed over the bridge to link up with the Americans coming from the north. “The bridge has been captured, but fighting is still going on in and round Nijmegen. A few tanks are supporting the defenders of the town, but our superiority in men and tanks is overwhelming. South of Schelde “The Germans are fighting hard for the Leopold Canal crossing, reported Reuter’s correspondent with the Canadian Ist Army yesterday. “The Canadians driving up the North Sea coast have seized a town which is north-west of Alex and east of the canal mouth. At this point they are only two miles from the Schelde, “The Canadians further west have so far been unable to cross the canal. The Germans are fighting hard to prevent the crossings. The Canadians further to the north-west are meeting heavy opposition from the Germans, including paratroopers. .. ‘The Germans still hold some positions on the west bank of the Schelde ? or tb of Antwerp. German resistance m the Polish sector has collapsed. The Roles have captured Terneuzen (on the south bank of the Schelde estuary) snd taken 6CQ prisoners.”

6000 Prisoners in Boulogne.—The Canadians have now taken 6000 prisoners in the Boulogne area, and this iotal will be increased with moppingup operations. Isolated pockets of Gerl ro °P s have been bombed.—Lonaoa. September 21.