SOUTHERN GATE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 283, 26 August 1944, Page 7

SOUTHERN GATE

Rhone Valley Near Allied Grasp LONDON, August 24. While there is no further news of thie Americans who drove north and captured Grenoble, the lower Rhone valley is now rapidly coming within our grasp, writes a Rome correspondent. The speed with which the advance was continued during the nine days since the first landings in southern France makes it hard to realize just how far we have progressed to the north and west. Once our troops start moving up the Rhone Valley there will not be many obstacles in the way, the Germans still holding positions there are in danger of being deprived of an easy way of retreat.. The position of the German, forces in southern France has got steadily worse. The whole of the defence plan has broken down, because of our surprise tactics. A Rome broadcast says that Lyons has been occupied by the F.F.I. There is no information on the extent to which the port installations of Marseilles have been damaged, by the bombing and demolitions, but it is not likely to be very severe. The port covers such a large area that only methodical demolitions over a long period could have deprived us of its use, and the Germans did not have the time.

Mopping Up Proceeds. Reuter’s correspondent at Marseilles says that the people of Marseilles, were almost hysterical over the liberation of their city. “We passed one man who cried, ‘Thank you, thank you, as every military vehicle went by. Marseilles has been short of food and clothes. Almost everything has been on the black market. The situation in the city is now rapidly being cleared up as tnoppnig-up goes on with the assistance of the Maquis, who have already opened the political prisons.” German batteries today were still active from heights around the bay. Members of the F.F.I. sped through the city in armoured cars, rounding up prisoners after sharp street clashes. Sporadic shooting went on all night as General de Tassigny’s forces joined the Maquis in clearing up stubborn pockets of . resistance in fierce house-to-house fighting. La Canebiere, Marseilles’s most famous street, became a virtual shootjug gallery all yesterday. The Germans used hotels and strongpoints, exchanging fire with the Maquis up and down the street. A newspaper photographer was. about to photograph a group of prisoners marching down the street under Maquis guard when a shell hit the group. General de Tassigny told the correspondent: “We are operating, a big squeeze on Toulon and killing literally thousands of the enemy, who are fighting obstinately. Fanatical junior officers are responsible for the prolonged resistance.

Fought to Death. “We had an example outside Toulon, where the German commander was ready to surrender, but a young lieutenant successfully urged the men to fight on to the death. 'When wo captured one hilltop battery we found six of the 150 Germans alive.” The Exchange Telegraph Agency s Rome correspondent says that itn advance past Salon along Highway 572 has put our troops well into the Rhone delta, less than 20 miles from Arles. The British United Press quotes a communique from General Coelict, commander of the French southern zone, announcing the liberation of Chambery, 45 miles south of Geneva. Cannes Captured. LONDON, August 25. A report from the Allied headquarters says that the city of Cannes, on the Riviera, has been occupied.