Late War News BEHIND BARRAGE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 260, 31 July 1944, Page 6

Late War News BEHIND BARRAGE

British Progress In Normandy NO PANZERS SEEN (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received July 31, 1.20 a.in.) LONDON, July 30, British tanks and infantry began a new offensive south of Caumont at 6.55 a.in. today, reports the Exchange Telegraph's correspondent in Normandy. The new drive’ took the form of a thrust on a wide front stretching east from Caumont. Our infantry on the sector due south of Caumont, cooperating with formations of Churchill tanks, captured the first objective by 9 a-m. after some opposition, and similar forces were clearing out the Germans from a wood at 10 a.m. No German tanks have been encountered. The new offensive was carried out in co-ordination with the Americans on the adjoining front. Reuter's correspondent at Caumont says -the push began with a terrific artillery barrage, and infantry half an hour later crept through wooded slopes extending beyond Caumont. Then at 7.45 a.m. came the bombers —hundreds of them — roaring low over the enemy lines. In spite of the foulest pranks by the weather the Bomber Command gave the full weight of its support to the new push. Lancasters and Halifaxes’ paving the Way for our infantry. “Allied forces pushing south from C'oulances have linked up with our forces in Lengronne, and the whole of the road between these two towns is, in our hands.” says this morning’s communique. “An enemy force south of the La Soulier River is surrounded and is being steadily eliminated in snite of determined efforts to break out. Our troons, advancing westward, crossed the Sienne River at several places. Percy and also the•'Percy-Hain-bye Road is in our hands. Heavy fighting continues in the area of Tessy. Further east we advanced one mile astride the iSculles River in the area of St. Vaast. Close Air Support. “Throughout, yesterday, in changeable weather, Allied fighters and fighter-bomb; ers closely supported our advancing troops. At least 20 tanks were destroyed. Fighters trapped an enemy convoy crossing a bridge over the Sienne River near Gavray and destroyed 12 tanks. “Enemy troops, gun positions, and bridges were hit in attacks south-west of Coutances, and also near Avranches and St. Lo. Fighters operating in the rear of the immediate battle zone and also at Vendome and in the Rouen-Amiens-Arras area set fire to many railway cars and also armoured- and motor vehicles. Escorted heavy bombers > using instruments attacked the airfields at Juvincourt and Laon Couvron. Five enemy planes were destroyed during the day's operations for the loss of five of our fighters.” The La Soulle River runs from neat Percy in a generally north-westerly direction into the Sienne River below Coutances. The Senile River runs nortnward from near Villers Bocage through Tilly into the sea west of the Orne River. St. Vaast is two miles south of Tilly, and riambye is four miles north-west of Percy.