COMMUNIQUE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24371, 25 September 1944, Page 5

COMMUNIQUE

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24. To-day’s communique from Supreme Allied Headquarters says:— “Heavy engagements continued yesterday in the Allied salient in Holland. Fighting was particularly fierce in the vicinity of Arnhem, where the enemy is exerting very strong pressure. We increased our hold on the area between the Neder Rijn and the Waal. Our positions, in the Nijmegen area have been improved and we have strengthened the bridgehead over the Bois-le-DuC Canal near the base of the salient. “Our air-borne -operations were further reinforced during the day. Fighters and fighter-bombers, operating in strength ahead of transport aircraft and gliders, dropped fragmentation bombs on numerous gun positions and carried out low-level strafing attacks, many batteries being silenced. Other fighters provided escort and cover for air-borne opertions. The enemy was active in the air, and a number of combats against our fighters resulted, according to reports so far received, in 27 enemy aeroplanes being shot down. Fourteen of our fighters are missing. “Our' forces east of Antwerp advanced after establishing a bridgehead- across the Meuse and the Escaut Canal, and we made a slight advance north-west of the city. “The entire front from the Geilenkirchen area to the Meurthe valley remains relatively unchanged, with stubborn enemy resistance and numerous counter-attacks on all sectors. “Our patrols in the Aachen area are meeting fire from the outskirts of the city, where the enemy appears to be well entrenched. Stolberg is being cleared of isolated German pockets, but our troops, advancing south-east of the town, are meeting stubborn resistance. A counter-attacking German force east of Busbach was driven off with the estimated loss of 40 per cent, of its strength. We are mopping up German pockets in the sector bordering northern Luxemburg, and our units along the entire German-Luxem-burg frontier are receiving moderate artillery fire from the enemy. “Stubborn enemy resistance south of Metz continues. Our artillery, broke up a small counter-attack at Pournoy. We made gains nine miles north of Nancy, where the town of Morey was freed. Enemy tanks and infantry in the area east of Nancy are offering strong resistance. Our troops advanced to the area of Benamenil, 10 miles east of Luneville. “A small force of heavy bombers attacked gun emplacements on the island of Walcheren (Holland). Medium bombers and light bombers attacked strongpoints at Calais, and fighter-bombers hit fortified positions in the Trier area.”