MASS SURRENDER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 69, 19 September 1944, Page 5

MASS SURRENDER

GERMANS FEAR AIR WEAPON Ifatf^iSrS^Fo^e greatest factor in forcing the capitu* lation of the 20,000 German troopP s in central France who surrendered withSin. shO ffibemg fired' to a £ 10 * °fficer commanding airmen h£°th O pr r lree weeks had been harrythf rwGermans as they headed for S b^SSS er from as far south

lfJitL fifWer-bombers, which had located the enemy successfully, prevented any offensive action against the southern flank of the Allied army and prevented the enemy • retreating westwards by cutting railway lines, destroying railway and motor transE?l; anl the? the trapped forces after hundreds of the enemy's armoured vehicles had been knocked dered to^hef.lT elementS SUrren" «.A .rendezvous for the remainder of the forces was arranged with United States ground forces. The German commander, General Elster, indicated his willingness to surrender provided the air attacks were stopped. Air offensive operations south of the Loire were suspended during the negotiations, but for several days and nights lighters maintained surveillance over the enemy, hovering over them as the huge convoy was shepherded to Orleans. The. commander was threatened with all the usual fighter-bomber action if he did not surrender. Finally, the senior officer of the Nineteenth Tactical Air Command was present on Saturday on the south bank o£ the Loire to accept the surrender of the Germans. He is believed to be the first United States Air Force officer to participate in the surrender of enemy ground forces.