BATTLE FOR PORTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 281, 24 August 1944, Page 5

BATTLE FOR PORTS

Strong Final Stand In Toulon (By Telegraph.—Press Assu. —Copyright.) LONDON, August 22. One of the Allied spearheads in southern France is reported to be three miles from Marseilles. French forces, after closing the trap on Toulon, have beaten back the Germans in the city in hard lighting toward the naval base area. Reuter’s correspondent at Mediterranean headquarters says the French captured the fortress of Coudon, four miles north-east of the city, while other units reached the coast near Bandol. Elements which entered the western and northern suburbs of the city on Sunday evening were still held up yesterday by strong enemy artillery fire. The advance to the north-west reached Aubagne and fanned out round both sides of the town. The Germans are resisting with infantry supported by tanks. Our columns are steadily progressing along the southern bank of the Durance without contacting the enemy. Across the river we have crossed the PertuisManosque highway at several points, while the advance north of Draguignan has resulted in substantial enlargement of the beach-head. ! Maximum Speed Inland.

One Allied column is now 62 miles inland from the beaches of southern France, states Algiers radio. French troops entered Hyeres. Other . Frenchmen fought their way to within threequarters of a mile of the waterfront of Toulon. The Germans in this area have massed mobile guns in the streets and naval guns in the harbour for a last stand. The deepest Allied penetration in .-the whole area of 2000 square miles now under Allied control is beyond Draguignan. Americans are eight miles west of Aix. Reuter’s correspondent at Mediterranean headquarters says that the French and Americans, since the intial landings, have been moving on at maximum speed without rest or relief. Their forward elements iu some instances have outdistanced maintenance, supply units, and even ammunition convoys, with the result that supply has become one of General Patch’s biggest problems. The Germans have been so occupied with escaping that they have shown little willingness to fight rearguard actions except on the beaches and flanks.