MOPPING UP IN CHERBOURG

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 5

MOPPING UP IN CHERBOURG

Defence Still Bitter GREAT EXPLOSION IN PORT

(ißy Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received June 26, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. Cherbourg has not yet been fully occupied, and fighting was still going on there early today, but an Allied communique this morning stated; “The liberation of Cherbourg cannot be long delayed. Our troops have reached the sea two miles to the east of the city, and fighting continues in the streets. Mopping up ot strongpoints in the outer defences continues. Correspondents at the Supreme Headquarters this morning said there was a lot of mopping up of snipers still to be done. There was no wholesale disintegration of the enemy, who in some places were putting up bitter house-to-house resistance. The German news agency says that the main area of Cherbourg has been in Allied hands since 8 o'clock last night. lhe garrison, according to the Germans, then sent their last radio message, which said that the final fighting for Cherbourg had begun. A violent explosion shook Cherbourg yesterday afternoon, indicating that the Germans had begun demolition of the harbour facilities. The explosion covered an area of several blocks and unquestionably did extensive damage, states an Allied correspondent. Berlin radio said: “The enemy will find the port systematically dynamited in a state of destruction they had never thought possible.”

An American broadcaster in Normandy early today said: “Though large numbers of Germans have surrendered, others, even those isolated in the rear of our advance, are still battling bitterly. In their cut-off positions they are probably no longer in contact with their command and are fighting on because they are afraid to quit. We have found evidence of Germans being machinegunned by their own officers when they tried to surrender.”

German underground cement fortifications have resisted an almost unbelievable hammering, and are still taking toll of the Americans who are by-passing them. Bitter fighting has been raging round Fontenay, south-east of Tilly; since 4 a.m. yesterday, says Reuter’s correspondent with the British forces. British infantry is now straddling part of the HottotFontenay road and pressing forward against stiffening enemy opposition. The weather has further improved, and unloading conditions are more favourable. Last night’s Allied communique had stated: “The Allies now hold high ground overlooking Cherbourg and are gradually pressing forward into the suburbs. The enemy is resisting bitterly, but is unable to stem our advance. A force of Allied warships this afternoon bombarded targets in the Cherbourg area. Local attacks improved our positions on the eastern sector of the bridgehead after fierce fighting.” Berlin radio yesterday said: ‘ Numer, ous Allied tanks have penetrated the town of Cherbourg. The Germans were unable to prevent the Americans entering the town, owing to lack of ammunition.”