NEW BRIDGEHEAD

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 284, 28 August 1944, Page 5

NEW BRIDGEHEAD

British Success Near Vernon RAPID ADVANCE (Received August 27, 8,30 p.m.) LONDON, August 27. In a brilliant manoeuvre, a strong British force yesterday made a'forced drive north-east of Laigle and established a new bridgehead on the north bank of the Seine near Vernon, reports the correspondent o£ the Associated Press of Great Britain in France. An advance of more than, 40 miles was made in six hours, and the bridgehead is growing bigger every hour. British troops are meeting only-moderate oppostiion as they clamber up the steep eastern banks and drive through orchards.

Another report says there is considerable German movement east of Le Havre, Brisk fighting is going on between Corbeil and Melun. Canadian elements are on the outskirts of Elbeuf. Allied pilots report that Rouen is under Allied artillery fire. ’ British and Canadian forces, under General Crerar, after an advance of 10 to 20 miles, late, on Friday linked up with American units on the Seine south of Rouen, says Reuter’s correspondent with the Canadians. The junction occurred three miles west of Louviers. Seine Crossings Hammered.

Reuter’s correspondent with the Tactical Air Force reports that Allied pilots from dawn today continued smashing.up the German Dunkirk across the Sej.ne. The pilots hammered all the crossing points along a long stretch of the river and also shot up vehicles on both sides of the iriver; At least 60 barges crammed with troops and transport are known to have been destroyed or damaged yesterday. Four large ships up to 4000 tons were also sunk.. The Canadians are within eight miles of Rouen and are nearing the Seine everywhere from Louviers to. the sea, says Reuter’s correspondent with the Canadian forces. The advance is continuing at top speed. . ' . An army spokesman stated that Between 35,000 and 40,000 Germans are estimated to be still on the west bank of the .Seine, together with masses ot transports and large numbers of . tanks, ine Germans are making frantic efforts to get back across the Seine. Enemy vehicles are clogging the roads six and seven abreast in one tremendous traffic, jam. This transport is doomed, as it is im* possible for. the Germans to get it across the river. . • American troops are movin„ noitn east to Rheims, 90 miles beyond Pans and 130 miles from the German frontier. ‘•The German high command must develop new methods of fighting enabling a smaller force to withstand a numerically and materially large army and establish a barrier outside the German frontiers capable of resisting. whatever may be thrown against it, biiiilnnofti cial spokesman in Berlin. The Ge - mans are. therefore shortening their lines and retreating to the lower Seine. The British and Americans are press m, liard on our heels, but (’he German high command maintains complete control over its own movements in this great disengaging movement. ’■