SLOW, BUT STEADY

Evening Star, Issue 25225, 12 July 1944, Page 5

SLOW, BUT STEADY

ftMERIOMS'NEW DRIVE TERRIFIC BARRAGE ©PENS ATTACK (Rec. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. The Americans to-day launched an attack north-east of Saint Lo, broadening the entire offensive front to about 40 pules, reports Reuter's correspondent with the First United States Army. The attack was launched at dawn simultaneously with the continued drive from north of Saint Lo, which is directed across Normandy towards the sea. The Americans gained ground in their new drive. A German counterattack just north-west of Ponthebert, supported by a handful of tanks, was repulsed by Americans armed with flame-throwers and bazookas. Four German tanks were knocked out. The Americans attacking the Saint Lo area were fighting at noon within two miles of Saint Lo, says an American broadcast from Normandy. Progress has been slow, but steady. We advanced about half a mile against the toughest resistance and over very difficult terrain. Under threatening skies, which prevented close air support, the Americans came but of their foxholes and began the advance after the artillery let loose a. terrific barrage, which was still crashing at) noon, Ifren when the attack was under way the guns continued pounding the enemy positions. The United States forces, enjoying the benefit of their capture of La Haye du Puits, are steadily winning much-needed elbow room, states ' The Times ' correspondent at La Haye. The Germans are withdrawing, but only after all possible delay. The Americans south of La Haye encountered some troulblesome enemy machine-gun nests. They called up tanks, which put down a fire and knocked out the posts; then the Americans' guns from behind opened up against the German lines. _ The outstanding fact aibout this action was that no German artillery replied. The Germans hesitated to disclose the position of their guns, and the signs are that they no longer hereabouts have much forward artillery. This, and other signs, suggest that they are disposed to pull back. BATTLE FOR AY RIVER. The battle for the approaches to the river Ay is on, adds ' The Times ' correspondent. (The mouth of the Ay is about five miles south of La Haye.)' It may be that the enemy will attempt his next stand somewhere in this area. His resistance thus far is patchy... He is relying on the material of many units, which are but the remnants of the divisions battered at Cherbourg and elsewhere. Thus, unless further reserves can be called in, there is a limit to his resistance based on such material. Crack troops are being used in enemy counter-attacks to stiffen faltering elements. They are not hesitating to use "guns iri back" methods to achieve this stiffening. To-day's German High Command communique, states: "A defensive battle in Normandy is now in full swing on large sectors of the enemy front. The British audi Americans are making greatest use of artillery, tanksj and planes, and repeatedly tried to slash oyen our front. The Germans are standing up against the enemy onslaught."