SIEGFRIED LINE ATTACK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1944, Page 6

SIEGFRIED LINE ATTACK

NEVTDEFENCE TACTICS (By Teiegtaph—Press Association—Copyiiflht.) Rec. 2Tipjp.m; LONDON, October 2. A Brijish United Press correspondent says -that the relatively slow progress being made in the new attack on the Siegfried Line (which SHAEF suggests is riot a major break-through attempt) can be attributed mainly to the Germans' new tactics, the backing up of infantry with mortars, and the deploying of infantry around pillpoxes as well as inside them The defence's of the Siegfried Line in the yicimty of Aachen are three to four, miles in depth. The Germans at Aachen brought up an ammunition tram today, but the driver* in pulling up east of Aachen, made the mistake of blowing, the whistle. The answer was. a hail of Allied shells which demolished the train. •■■■•'•,

'The American dive-bombing was particular3y effective against troublesome pill-boxes. In some areas the rGermans Sire using phosphorous shells from batteries concealed in thick woods. ■ ;

The British west of Venlo are pushing eastwards - from the flank of the corridor across Holland,' states the British United Press correspondent with the British Second Army. They are encountering considerable enemy opposition, including a number of tanks. The Germans are still fighting hard to give their forces time to strengthen -^Germany's, outer defences," he says.' "We haive' also extended the (Allied bulge across: the Aiitwerp-Turnhout Canal. -There was considerable German activity today between Nijmegen and Arnhem, but no enemy counterattack developed. This was possibly due to our air operations, which brought,a virtual lull in the battle for the marshlands. The Allied air forces continue to , smash the'enemy on the ground before the battle. Also, during sporadic fighting, airmen are continuously attacking ' reinforcements which the Germans are attempting to move up by train and road. "The temporary lull hereabouts must not be -taken as an indication : that, the Germans have nbi the power to strike. The battle for the few vital .miles between Nijniegen and.Arnhem is •.likelyL to:•.'continue . intermittently for- days-; particularly in view of the changeable weather." .. . ; ; " : y jßeuter^'corresp'ondent. 'says that • a jfew. hpurs-^'after the British had repulsed two powerful German counterattacks north of Nijmegen last night reports came in that the Germans •were already moving up reinforcements.; There is : also evidence that the Germans, are transferring! a - panzer division northward in the hope of smashing. our ■ bridgehead between the Waal : and .the Neder Rhine. General Dempsey is also receiving, reinforcements for the; northern tip of his salient. ; ■ • , ■ .:' .•-■■■•,

. : Berlin radio stated that the; wedgeshaped corridor the' Allies have driven into Holland' touches the German frontier ,at B'eek and also at 'two other points.- '■.-■' . - ; ; ■:■■•■.■

planes of the Tactical Air Force today spotted 300 German soldiers, cycling towards? Arnhem and mowed them down, like a scythe before they reached Zevenaar. Mediiim bombers,. after the; earlier: air force blows, also attacked the -Arnhem Bridge.; •' ■■..■;■'■•;-.,; \ ;.• ...■"•/;.'. '-.■ "■■■■'.

Typhoons from the Rhodesian Squadron exploded a 2000-ton ammunition ship-near Maasluis. Debris flew up 4000 feet and .damaged all the planes' which were engaged. . v . ■ ■* ; •_, Reuters correspondent says that the Canadians north and west of. Tiirnhout are encountering stiffening opposition. The Germans are still endeavouring to prevent the widening of the great British salient and to deny the -.Allies, sea approaches to Antwerp.