Germans Report Rejection

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24386, 12 October 1944, Page 5

Germans Report Rejection

WHITE FLAGS ON BUILDINGS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) [(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. The American Ist Army’s ultimatum demanding the surrender of the Germans in the city of Aachen expired a few minutes before 11 a.m. to-day, but an hour later the only news of a German decision is an Official German News Agency report that the ultimatum has been rejected. A correspondent at Supreme Allied Headquarters says that this morning many white flags were seen over buildings in the city, but so far there is no white flag over the German headquarters. The text of the ultimatum, which was served on the Mayor of the city, in addition to the commander of the German troops, j s; __“Aachen is completely surrounded by the Africans, who are sufficiently equipped with both aeroplanes and artillery to destroy the city if necessary. We shall take the city either by surrender or attacking and destroying it. Bv unconditional surrender we will require the surrender of all armed bodies, the cessation of all hostile acts, and the removal of mines and prepared demolitions. “It is not intended to molest the civil population or needlessly sacrifice human lives, but if the city is qot completely and promptly surrendered the American ground forces and air forces will proceed ruthlessly to reduce it to submission. There is no middle course. The choice and responsibility are yours. Your answer must be "delivered within 24 hours.” A British United Press correspondent says that this is the first ultimatum given ?o any German city in th 6 present war. The American thrusts round Aachen progressed until they shattered all German hopes of escape. An American colonel has estimated that there are 10,000-to 15,000 civilians in Aachen, which had a peace-time population of 165,000.

Major-General Hodges, commander cf the Ist Army, signed the ultimatum, which two American lieutenants' and one private delivered'under a white flag The ultimatum was delivered at 10.50 a.m., but the 2000 German 'troops inside Aachen were still resisting bitterly at 5.30 p.m. ' ... Meanwhile, bombers are waiting to take off to blow Aachen off the mao. Field guns are taking up ammunition in readiness, and many troops are prepared' to move in in the wake of the artillery barrage. . The Americans are maintaining the usual barrage, and are also firing thousands of leaflets into Aachen in

canisters. These leaflets point out the hopelessness of the enemy’s position, end repeat the terms of the ultimatum. “One German company in Aachen Bent a message to the seeking an independent surrender,” says the British United Press correspondent. “Arrangements were made for them to march into the American lines.”

“The ultimatum delivered to Aachen is of the highest importance as a test case for. German cities, and in view of the necessity of maintaining morale within the Reich it is expected that the Germans will be ordered to fight to the last in the ruins of Aachen,” says the “New York Times” correspondent with the American Ist Army. “The siege is likely to be long and bloody, paralleling' the Stalingrad battle. The Germans will dig in in deep cellars. When the bombardment lifts they will emerge, dragging ma-chine-guns behind them to oppose the attacking Americans. “Aachen is not just Aachen. It is all the German cities which the Allies may besiege in the final phase of the war. Goebbels will try to make Aachen a rallying cry similar to that of Dunkirk for the British and Pearl Harbour for the United States. “If Aachen is surrendered unconditionally it would be striking evidence that German resistance is weakening, if, as is expected, the garrison’fights to the end. then a patriotic example will have been given to all Germany, and the conquest of the Reich will be that much harder.”

Delivery of Ultimatum When the Americans who bore the ultimatum came to a demolished rail•way bridge they met some Germans, who blindfolded them and took them to a company command post. The Americans, still blindfold, were then taken to a cellar, where a German staff officer gave them a stiff, “Heil‘” They were then taken to another where two letters, one to the German- commander and one to the Mayor of Aachen, were handed over. “I know vou have the right intentions,” said a German staff officer. _ The message to the Mayor urged him to intercede with the military in order to avoid useless bloodshed and destruction.

An Allied broadcast explained the position and advised surrender as the best means of avoiding destruction. “Allied bombers are waiting for the order to strike, and our troops are on the alert for the final advance. Act quickly,” it stated. There was vicious fighting in the eastern suburb of Forst, within the . city limits, before the Americans were in a position to deliver their ultimatum. The Germans counter-attacked three times last night in an attempt to hold open the escape gap, but the position worsened ns the Americans drove on, and in the afternoon the pincers closed. TJe Official German News Agency said yesterday that the Americans tought their way into the southern Part of Aachen, but claimed that they Were driven out. +l ® a rlier Reuter's correspondent with the American Ist Army reported that the gap east of Aachen had been closed to one mile in spite of strong German counter-attacks which attempted to K? rce it open in the vicinity of BardenD H£f’ five miles north of Aachen. . the Americans yesterday morning cmI 311 .the attack against the Aachen pit a°f Haaren. north-east of the v Other American infantry drove vftlh-east to cut the Monschau-Dueren “ighway near Huertgen. thus snapping ?? important German communication route. Baxters” Proved Best , after generation have thin 6 ° Baxters Lung Preserver as s * cou §hj remedy. The marvelE .p“. Popularity of “Baxters,” to-day thokw ever - is proof positive of enw. cacy °* this remedy for coughs. 602 p«i n<^T. sore throats. Baxters, Ltd., z Colombo st., Ch’ch. —3