TANK BATTLES ON MOSELLE FRONT

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

TANK BATTLES ON MOSELLE FRONT

Towns Taken NorthEast of Nancy

STUBBORN GERMAN

RESISTANCE

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 22. “A large-scale tank battle is being fought out between the Americans and the Germans between Chateau Salins and Moyenvic, both about 20 miles north-east of Nancy, in the foothills of the Vosges,” says Reuter’s correspondent. “The Americans have captured Moyenvic, and also Chatel-sur-Mosolle, 30 miles south-east of Nancy.” The correspondent of the British United Press slates that the tanks are battling- almost tread to tread. Neither side is seeking nor giving any quarter. The Germans are bringing up tanks in the wooded areas.

"The Germans are using and losing tanks on the Moselle front.” reported the correspondent of “The Times” with the American 3rd Army, on Thursday. “Fifty-three German tanks were knocked out on Wednesday north-east of Nancy, and 29 on Tuesday. “Fierce fighting continues north-east of Nancy. The enemy is resisting stubbornly and there are many tank clashes. American tanks in one sector accounted for 40 tanks in one afternoon and artillery knocked out 30 more.

“The enemy is launching counterattacks up and down the line with strong tank and artillery concentrations supporting his infantry.

“The Americans and the Germans continue to share the battered town of Thionville (north of Metz), with the Americans on one side of the Moselle and the Germans on the other. Germans Hold Out in Metz

"Metz remains a stubborn bastion. Fort Lorraine, north of the city, is typical of the fortifications round

Metz. Its steel and concrete construction makes it unnecessary for the defenders to show themselves. It is surrounded by barbed wire 65 feet in depth. There are at least 10 105 mm. guns and two 150 mm. guns, all mounted in heavily armoured turrets with a full circular traverse. The barracks house 600 men. The fort stands on the top of a high hill and serves as a base for smaller forts, with which it is linked by tunnels.’’ The correspondent of the British United Press with the American 3rd Army says: “American infantry has advanced to within six miles south of Metz, the nearest we have yet approached. Our armour is advancing slowly east of Metz against strong enemy counter-attacks. “Our spearheads pushing north-east of Nancy are meeting stiff resistance in the area west of Dieuze. The German tanks here are paying a heavy toll. Heavy fighting is also raging a mile east'of Luneville.” “The Germans are using more flying bombs at the front," says the British United Press correspondent with the American 3rd Army. “Several of them have exploded in widely scattered areas in the last 48 hours. The use of flying bombs is probably an attempt to boost the morale of the Siegfried Line defenders.” North of Belfort “Every move to close the Belfort dap frpm the front is meeting determined resistance," says Reuter’s correspondent with the American 7th Army “The Germans falling back north of the Belfort Gap blew up bridges and carpeted the approaches of the Moselle river with mines, but the Americans are close on their heels.

“The Germans on Thursday showed some signs of trying to hold parts of the east, bank of the Moselle. They laid down artillery fire on reads on the Allied side of the river. The 7th Army,

bv crossing the Moselle in this sector could outflank Epinal. which is already threatened by the 3rd, Army s crossing farther north. It is thought that the Germans may attempt to use the seines of old forts, similar to those at Belfort. with which Epinal is surrounded.”