INVASION PROGRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1944, Page 5

INVASION PROGRESS

“BRIGHTEST HOPES EXCEEDED”

Eisenhower’s Tribute to Troops

Big Advance in East:

RUGBY, June 13. The news froni Normandy received in London to-night is regarded as gratifying. A big advance has been made at the eastern end of the front where the British Sixth Air-borne Division have resisted so many counter-attacks. This force is now at least seven miles inland on the railway east ot Caen. It was learned at Supreme Headquarters that on the front ot Bayeux very satisfactory advances have been made, but no details of the places captured are yet available. As a result of these advances a pincer movement is now developing on a considerable scale on Caen and this hedgehog may be pinched out and out-flanked from the south. The country around is ideal for tanks and a big battle, which may be expected to increase in intensity, is taking place all the way from Cerisy Forest to Troarn, seven miles due east of Caen. „ _ In the centre the Allied forces are getting out of range oi sea fire support. Extremely heavy fighting is going on around Carentan where the Americans have advanced, but have met strong resistance. The movement southward to St. Lo is also making progress. In the west the fall of Montebourg implies that the Allies are directly advancing towards Valognes on the main road to Cherbourg, 14 miles away. The capture of Le Ham, three miles south-west of Montebourg, indicates further progress towards the cutting off of the Cherbourg Peninsula.

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES

LONDON, Juno 13

To-day's first communique from Supreme Allied Headquarters says: “'rim imk between our two, major beachheads has been materially strengthened by the captuie ol Carentan.” The communique confirms that the town fell to American troops alter two days ol hard tign - ing. The communique also repoiis continued strong' enemy resistance in the Tilly-sur-Seu 1 les sector (between Caen and Bayeux.) and steady progress in other areas, though without marked advances. The building up ot the Aihed forces continues satisfactorily. The German counter-attacks nave so far been piecemeal and hastily organised, according to Supreme Headquarters, where it was stated: “The enemy is apparently short 01. infantry. This is seriously hamperin'* his armour, which is unable to extricate itself to reform because there is insufficient infantry to hold the ground while the tanks disengage. To assist his armour the enemy is being forced to use offensive infantry formations for defensive purposes. British armour is now in action m the Tilly-sur-Seulles area, where very heavy fighting is in progress south and south-east ol the town. Tilly itself has changed hands several times and the present position is obscure. The Forest de Cerisy (between Bayeux and St. Lo) is now entirely held by the Allies. It contained an important enemy petrol and ammunition dump. The southernmost spearhead of Hie force which look the forest has now crossed the Bayeux-St. Lo road al a point seven miles from St. Lo. The advance here has been, rapid and has now slowed up while local reserves move in and consolidate. “German resistance in the Cherbourg Peninsula is stiffening. The enemy is moving reinforcements up the roads on the ’west, probably from Brittany. The American advance south of Bison continues and there have been small gains north mid east of Caen, although the situation is little changed. The enemy's buildingup has been less rapid than was expected." Yesterday’s second Allied communique said:—“The fusion oi our beachheads is now complete and a coastal strip some fill miles long is firmly in our hands. Its depth, is being increased steadily. Slight advances have been made east ol Caen. The Americans in the Cherbourg Peninsula made further progress to the north and -westward, and additional road crossings over the coastal inundations are in our hands. The enemy farther to the cast has been driven from the whole of the Forest de Cerisy. Fierce lighting between British and enemy armoured units continued between Tilly and Caen. Allied warships have been giving deep supporting lire in the centre and close support lo Ihe Hanks oi our armies.” EISENHOW ER’S MESS AGE (Rec. 12.45 p.rn.) LONDON, June 13. “My brightest hopes exceeded” is the crux of a message General Eisenhower addressed to General Montgomery, Admiral Ramsay, Air Chief Marshals Leigh-Mallory and Harris, and General Spaatz and “the soldiers sailors, airmen, merchant seamen and all others of the Allied Expeditionary Forces.” The message issued irom an Allied advance command post reads: "One week ago this morning there was established through your co-ordinated efforts our first foothold on Northwestern Europe. High as was my preinvasion confidence in your courage, skill and effectiveness in working together as a unit, your accomplishments in the first seven days of this campaign have exceeded my brightest hopes. You are a truly great Allied team —a team in which each part gains the greatest satisfaction in rendering the maximum asistan.ee to the entire body, and in which each individual member is justifiably confident in all others.

“No matter how prolonged or bitter the struggle ahead you will do your fullest part towards the restoration of a free France and the liberation of all the European nations under Axis domination and the destruction of the Nazi machine. _ I truly congratulate you upon a brilliantly successful beginning to this great undertaking. Liberty-loving people everywhere would to-day like to join me in saying to you ‘I am proud of you.' ”

STALIN’S APPRECIAT.TON

RUGBY, June 13

Mr Stalin has said of the Normandy landings: “The history of wars does not know a similar undertaking of such scope, conception, great scale and mastery in execution,” according to a Moscow message. His statement was made in reply to a question by a representative of “Pravda.” He added. “Summing up the seven days’! battles by the liberating forces of the. Allies who invaded Northern France, one can say, without hesitation, that the forcing of the Channel along a wide front and the mass lading operations of the Allied Forces in Northern France have succeeded fully. This doubtless is a brilliant success for our Allies. “As is known, the invincible Napoleon failed disgracefully in his plan io cross the Channel and capture the British Isles. Hysterical Hitler, who bragged for two years that he would force the Channel, has not even dared to attempt to carry out his threat. Only the British and American forces succeeded in realising, ■with honour, the grandiose plan of

forcing the Channel and making a mass landing of troops. History will mark ih.’s as an achievement ol the highest order.”

MR. ROOSEVELT’S STATEMENT

WASHINGTON, June 13. “General Eisenhower told me that battles are shaping up to strike against the Germans on all fronts, said Mr. Roosevelt at a Press conference. “Complete unity between the ground, naval and air services prevails and General Eisenhower said that the cross-Channel operations had fought hazards greater than ever before faced by an invading army. These operations are only part of the far larger pattern of the combined assault against the Fortress of Germany by the great Russian armies irom the East and by our forces from the Mediterranean.” Mr. Roosevelt added that the Nazis will be forced to light throughout the perimeter of their stronghold, daily expending their dwindling resources until overwhelmed by the hopelessness' of their position. MONTEBOURGCAPTURED.

LONDON, June 13

The Paris radio has announced that the Allies have occupied Montebourg, which is about 17 miles south-east of Cherbourg. It added: “British and American forces crossed the Channel in great strength last night, bringing the" total Allied forces in France to 30 divisions.” It is regarded at Supreme Headquarters as a good sign that the Germans are still patching up any area of Allied advance. Tins shows that they are unaware of the Allies’ real intentions and unable to concentrate in the battle area any big formation tor a concentrated counterattack. The greatest depth ot the Allied front is about 18 miles.

FALL OF CARENTAN

LONDON, June .13

“Carentan fell this morning, after a night-long barrage and hand-to-hand lighting,'" reports the correspondent o! the British United Press in the Carentan area. “The Germans withdrew, leaving their dead and wounded, when they r'eaiised that we intended to reduce the town to dust with heavy naval and shore artillery. For nearly a week the Germans had defended Carentan wit!) grim determination. TTiey had flooded pari ol' the surrounding' areas in which Carentan stood, making the town an island. I lie American troops who lough! tlieii way towards it were oilen waistdee]) ill waler. American engineers did a splendid job in enabling the troops to enter the town, ’ One report says that the American commander sent an officer carrying a Red Cross flag and accompanied by two captured German parachutists to invite the enemy to surrender. The Americans made their way thiough the German pillboxes, but, the German commander said that he had no authority to surrender. Ihe Allied artillery barrage was then resumed, and. it continued all that night. ith only a small gap open lor them towards the south, the Germans withdrew, leaving their dead and wounded The town was in American hands by’ 8.30 a.m. on Monday. 'British forces in France are now using flame-throwers. The Exchange Telegraph’s correspondent with the Brilirii forces says that flame-throwers were employed lor the first time in a wood where the Germans had used them the previous night. Our flame-throwers made a swift job and forced the surrender ol the Germans who had infiltrated the wood and were proving difficult io dislodge. PINCERS EXTENDED (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. To-day’s advances in France were, described at Allied Headquarters as very satisfactory. It was learned at SHAEF that big dispositions are being made to take Caen, by a pincer movement. There is a very good advance soujh of Bayeux and east of the Forest de Cerisy, in country good for infiltration.

A narrow salient has been pushed seven miles down from the bottom of the east flank north-east of Caen, and the village of Troarm, nine miles east of Caen, has been captured by British troops. The Allies have thus extended the arms of their pincers considerably during the day. Equally good news comes from the west Hank, where the capture of Montebourg by the Fourth United States Division is officially confirmed. The small town of Ponte Labbe, midway between the two coasts, and Le Ham, on the Merderet River, have also Been captured. The enemy continues his strong resistance in the Carentan area. From there lo the Forest de Cerisy there is no change, but the road junction of Balleroy, just east of the forest, has been captured. A big battle seems to be raging between Tilly-sur-Seulles and Caen. The hustling of the Germans continues in a big way all along the front.

A British United Press correspondent says a tremendous air blow was struck against Caen early to-day. “I watched the bombing from a forward artillery position a few miles from the town. The bombers dropped repeated salvoes, shaking the earth.” LARGE DUMP CAPTURED. (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. The ammunition and fuel dump captured in the Forest de Cerisy was one of the biggest ever to fall into our hands, says the Associated Press correspondent with the American troops. _ The Germans had retreated so rapidly that they did not even have time for demolitions. German tanks broke into the British sector last night, but were driven off. There is a strong indication that they were trying to recapture the fuel dump.

TWO MORE TOWNS TAKEN. (Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 13. Allied troops have advanced generally in all sectors and particularly south of Bayeux between the Forest de Cerisy and Tilly-sur-Seulles, says a SHAEF communique. Two more towns have been liberated, namely Troarn and Le Ham, and more than 10,000 prisoners have now been taken. Enemy light craft which last night attempted to approach our fines of communication were intercepted and driven off by our patrols. Deteriorating weather to-day slowed down our air offensive. Nevertheless, escorted heavy day bombers continued attacks against airfields west of Paris at EvereuxFauville, Dreux and Hliers Leveque. A fuel dump at Dreux w'as set on fire. Medium bombers were also active and again attacked Rennes airfield. Ranging from the Channel to Tours, fighter-bombers swept the area for two and a half hours, destroying seven locomotives and some 50 vehicles and strafing encampments. E-boats which had been attacked off Boulogne early in the morning by coastal aircraft were again hit later in the day by rocket and can-non-firing fighters. In these engagements at least three enemy ships were sunk and others were left on fire or badly damaged. Reconnaissance photographs show that severe damage was done to the railway centres at Orleans and Rennes which were attacked by heavy bombers on the nights of June 10 and 11.

FIGHT FOR CAEN.. GERMAN CASUALTIES HEAVY. (Rec. 11.55.) LONDON, June 13. The Allied drive from the beaches towards Caen has, for the time being, settled down to a holding operation against the 21st Panzer Division, which is ranged as a screen across the northern approaches io the town, states “The Times’s” Normandy correspondent. Canadian armour and supporting infantry have gallantly repulsed repealed attacks during the anxious days since the landing on the left flank of the Allied assault, and with the Sixth Airborne Division—who have performed magnificent deeds—are holding the crossing of the River Orne and the parallel canal. It may now be said that this left flank is firmly established. It has borne the brunt of the strongest German reaction to the invasion.

A British United Press correspondent reports that German dead in the Montebourg area are estimated at 2000, with 12,000 wounded. Several new Allied formations, with a considerable amount of heavy material, were landed at four main landing points on the beachhead to-day, states the German News Agency. It claimed that a British parachute unit which landed south of Caen two days ago has been wiped out. A great armour battle is now raging in the three main centres of Normandy, in the Caen and Bayeux districts, and between Vologne and Carentan, says a Berlin report quoted by “The Times’s” Stockholm correspondent. The report admits that Montebourg is now in American hands. BRITISH ATTACKS. Unlike earlier descriptions, to-day's reports say the British and not the Germans are attacking around Caen and Bayeux. They emphasise the treat weight of British armour in the neighbourhood of Tilly, “where the British have managed to drive a small wedge southwards, which the Germans eventually checked.” The Germans admit being impressed by the scale of the British air-borne operations, describing them as the greatest air effort ever and referring to the great part played in the invasion by “flying artillery.” though its is not clear exactly what is meant. To-day’s explanation why Rommel has not vet more seriously joined the battle is that he knows better than to throw in reserves near the coast for mowing down by naval gunnery. The invaders so far have been protected by a fighter umbrella and warships, but once they move out of range of the battleships they will find Rommel able and ready to deal with them effectively. He has for a week been preparing the blow and requires another week. The blow will be more effective for not being hurried

NEW THRUST SUCCEEDS

(Rec. 12.35.) LONDON, June 13. British armoured vehicles, in a new drive which began before midnight on Monday and went on this morning, sliced a wedge several miles deep when the Americans discovered a weak link in the German lines south of the line from St. Lo to Caen, says the British United Press correspondent with the British forces. The Germans were taken by surprise when the British armour stealthily swung down country lanes and lunged against the enemy outposts.. The Germans had expected the British to continue hammering at Tilly-sur-Seulles where the German defences are very strong. The German armoured units at Tilly are now believed to be endangered as a result of the new British ‘thrust. The Germans pulled out so quickly that they had no time to do much damage. American military police were called in to help control the flow of British armour sweeping southward. The Canadians, who had been persistently sniped in a French town, raided a building and found a heavyset woman with wild eyes ho‘ding a hot-barrelled rifle, says the “Daily Express” correspondent in Normandy. “I have killed three of your Canadians ” she boasted. She was married to a’ German soldier who was killed on the beaches. The townsfolk marked her for extermination, after which she decided to fight it out on her own.

GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS.

LONDON, June 13

SHAEF stated at midnight that the Germans launched counter-attacks against Montebourg and Carentan both in the American sector. The position at Montebourg is somewhat obscure but is confidently expected that if the Germans regained the town they will quickly be thrown out again. The position at Carentan is also not clear, but it is stated that the German counter-attacks are not worrying the Allies. British armour and infantry are fighting successfully west of Tilly, where the right prong, of the pincer aimed at Caen is developing, but it is pointed out that the out-flanking of Caen is a big undertaking and quick results cannot be expected. SCHEDULED AREA OCCUPIED.

LONDON, June 13

A SHAEF report stated: The front line now extends more than 85 miles, with the beaches clear for use for 60 miles. The Allies now hold between 600 and 700 square miles of France —almost the exact area which was scheduled for occupation at this stage when the operations were planned a year ago. Our casualties are far below expectations. The weather off the beaches continues good. Convoys are arriving and unloading satisfactorily. THREE E-BOATS DESTROYED RUGBY, June 13. Unloading conditions have improved on all the beaches. The Allies are now operating 'from five air landing strips, and use was made of these in last night’s operations. Three E-boats were destroyed, three damaged, and another hit today by Typhoon fighters and rocketprojecting aircraft. Allied aircraft suffered no loss. The enemy have

mnrio very few efforts to construct emergency bridges over the Seine in pXce of those destroyed by Allied bombers.

NAVAL BOMBARDMENT

LONDON, June 13.

According to SHAEF the Allied naviesffi the last few days have carried out the most persistent and the heaviest bombardment in naval histmw The Rodney and the Ramilles, ncriried by the cruisers Frobisher, Rir us Dragon and Notable helped BrS Third Division to hold German counter-attack on ThursaX list The cruiser Belfast supported’the advance of the Third Cannriion Division, while two other cruis2, □ ennnorted the British Fiftieth Divirion One of the Nelson’s targets was n‘ concentration of seventeen Yuns which were harassing “fr forward ground forces Her six-teen-inch guns quickly smothered the German batteries. Another of the Nelson’s targets was a German concentration 12 miles inland on the road Sdin* west from Caen. “Target covered from end to end,” was the forward observation officer’s report. The bombarding force sailed with nearly •i hundred thousand rounds of ammunition from sixteen-inch to fourinch It was expected that about sixteen‘thousand tons would be expended, but this weight proved to be unne, Th S e a American battleships Texas •md Nevada continued the bombardment yesterday by shelling German positions on Cherbourg Peninsula, heir targets being mostly mobile enemy batteries or high ground inland. AERIAL onslaughts RAIL CENTRES" ATTACKED "LONDON, June 13. Last night strong forces of heavy bombers attacked the French railway centres of Amiens, Arras, Cambrai, and Portiers. Lancasters bombed bridges south of Caen, and m this area a big tank marshalling area was also bombed. Twenty-seven aircraft were lost in last night’s attacks. In yesterday’s widespread and heavy daylight operations 55 enemy airmail were shot down, and the Allies lost Altogether, more than 1000 ancraft of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command were in action last night. Royal Air Force Lancasters also Hew to Germany, to attack the synthetic oil centre of Gelsenkirchen. A tremendous explosion was caused here and pilots report large fires. In this and other operations, including minelaying, 17 aircraft were lost.

COLOGNE ALSO BOMBED

LONDON, June 13

An Air Ministry communique reports that the Bomber Command last night resumed heavy attacks against German war industries. A strong force of Lancasters bombed a synthetic oil producing centre at Gelsenkirchen. Very large fires were left burning, with smoke rising several miles Cologne was also bombed. Mines were laid in enemy waters. Seventeen bombers are missing. During the IVEoscjuito cittcick night, on transport facilities behind the enemy lines one Mosquito, after shooting up a train south of Caen, found a large camp m the woods which was earlier attacked and set on fire. The pilot said there were still about 30 huts standing. He bombed and straffed them, and had a grandstand view of the damage The R.A.F. attack on Gelsenkirchen last night, says the Air Ministry News Service, linked up with the strategic bombing of oil centres from Italy and Russia. A New Zealander, Flying Officer F. J. Baker, ot Palmeiton, described the explosions at Gelsenkirchen as the biggest he had ever seen.

DEFENcj. OF GERMANY ~RUGBY, June 13. Despite the part the R.A.F. Bomber Command played in the invasion with its offensive on road and rail centres in occupied countries and the coastal batteries on the French coast, the pause in bombing Germany itsell lusted only three weeks. The R.A.F. attack on Gelsenkirchen last night was made in force. Some 1400 tons of bombs were dropped The enemy is still so alive to the threat to the industries of Germany that he is keeping back a large number ot lighters to defend the Reich. Last night, fighter packs did not arrive over the target until the end ot the attack, b.ut pursued the Lancasters on the route home. There were a number of fierce combats. At least six enemy aircraft were destroyed. “Judging from the number of fighters the enemy sent up last night.” said one experienced pilot, “it looks as if the air defence of the Reich is still intact. There was no sign that fighter opposition was less strong than usual.. Even the ground defences were as formidable as ever. The searchlights in the Ruhr area were very numerous, and the enemy put up a'heavy barrage.”

EVIDENCE OF WRECKAGE

LONDON, June 13

A correspondent 'at SHAEF said: Reconnaissance planes yesterday brought back evidence of the success of our systematic isolation of the fighting areas in France. Many railway junctions in the surrounding area' are completely devastated and impassable to traffic. Heavy bomber attacks on airfields yesterday resulted in severe damage to seven of 16 and considerable but less damage to the others. The Bomber Command had more than 1000 heavy bombers out last night. The significance of last night’s bombing of Cambrai and Amiens is that they are important railway towns on the route along which the Germans are moving or will move reinforcements from Flandersi to Normandy. Many tons of bombs were rained down last evening on a huge panzer marshalling area in the forest of Grimborsq within a few minutes by Anglo-French Bostons and AngloDutch Mitchells. Great devastation was seen. This operation was one of the many carried out by the 2nd Tactical Air Force throughout the day with the object of smashing the enemy’s preparations for counterattacks.

Fighter-bombers and rocket-firing fighters made widespread attacks on military transport and troop movements, while Spitfires provided constant protection for the beaches. Rocket and bomb-carrying Typhoons and Mustangs reported a number of highly successful attacks against military trains. One highlight of many attacks against road transport was a Typhoon assault on an ammunition lorry which crashed into a military building and blew it skyhigh. N.Z. SPITFIRE SQUADRON. (X.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, June 12. The New Zealand Spitfire Squadron landed in France to-day. It went down at the end of a patrol, for refuelling and then took off again, flying over the battle area. The Spitfires also shot down two more Germans. They were Messerschmitt 109’s and fell to the cannon of Flying Officer J. Houlton and Flight Lieutenant W. Newenham.

Flving Officer Houlton, who fought in Malta and flew with the squadron last vear, has now shot down three enemy aircraft in the week since the invasion started, bringing his total to five. The New Zealanders have thus got nine altogether since D. Day, making their total score 75.

SHOOTING ENEMY PLANES.

(N.Z.L’.A. Special Correspondent)

(Rec. 10.5.) LONDON, June 10. One of the first enemy aircraft shot down on D. night was a Junkers 188. It was destroyed by Flying Officer R. E. Lelong, of Auckland, who is in a Mosquito’ night Intruder Squadrqn Lelong said: “I saw the enemy in the moonlight at about 1000 feet circling to land on an airfield behind the battlefield area. I attacked with a two-second burst. He partly blew up and then went straight down and exploded on the ground.” Leading a Beaufighter Squadron, Wing Commander E. H. McHardy, D.F.C., of Waipawa, made three successful attacks within half an hour on E-boats and other craft attempting to menace the invasion beachhead. The first occurred off Boulogne when he saw an explosion 50 yards to poit 3f the vessel attacked. Afterwards he sighted four E-boats which he sprayed with cannon fire, scoring numerous hits. At least two of these aie belipved to be seriously damaged. McHardy commented: “Everything in the world y ca°me up towards us-F ak from the ships, shore batteries and otne erMt in the vicinity. One ship burst into flames and another was «>v®ied in smoke and fl asbes -„ rl T h^u e v e a flashes from a third and 1 believe a foui tli was hit. I finally broke away in a cloud of flak and tracers Hom al sides.” treatment_of wounded REMARKABLE ORGANISATION

RUGBY, June 13. “The prompt arrival of casua ms in Britain a few hours after the initial landings in Normandy is theresult of the development of medical ScLtque evolved in W >«, °f, Se P %“ush by MeXl Yurnal” “Themost important discovery was that stwgery and other specialised Seatment must be brought forward as near the fighting line as possible. This led to a great development oi mobile units. Speed is the essence o. rpatment Every soldier is now suppfied wffti his own dressings, and with skill. enough to tHA tiiuG in. the histoiy ot ™ Stretcher bearers go into bba le ,^ h thp soldiers, taking the wounded immediately to a post where they cm <*et blood transfusions and lav ishi sup plies of penicillin, or even be operatecl on if that is essential. lin ;tc “Parachute field ambulance uni - consist of eight to r>pn<;prs nursing orderlies, stietcnei bearers' and lull equipment, including opeSY tables dropped by parachute. At present, as the Allies ai fiohting near the coast, casualties aie removed for more elaborate b®atment to Britain, but as lines of communication lengthen the organisation for first-rate medical services on French soil is ready. , “Of the great life-saving agents employed in the treatment of casualties one is blood transfusion. Since the’British Army’s blood transfusion service first came into operation in May, 1940, it has made great strides. Half a million civilians in Biitam have been contributing then blood. Since 1943, 25,000 pints of processed btood have been out every month for invasion use. One ol me most invaluable contributions made by R.A.M.C. doctors was the discovery of a method of giving blood transfusions while transporting a P a ™ ■ from the front toTi medical unit. This has eliminated dangerous delay. A second life-saver is penicillin, it is particularly apposite that on the first day when wounded staited to amze back from France, knighthoods were announced for the British scientists who discovered the drug. . “A third life-saver is nursing. It is a fact that wounded men respond to treatment quicker when cared for by women. Britain’s women, who have shouldered greater responsibilities in the war than the women ot any.othei belligerent, are already nursing in the front lines. Army nurses are in hospital ships standing by oft the beaches. The moment landinggrounds large enough to accommodate transport aeroplanes are ready, W.A.A.F. nursing orderlies, running the same risks as airborne troops, wit. supply added care which may mean the difference between life and death. “This medical care perfected by British military doctors has had great results. Middle East battle casualties from April, 1942. to March, 1943, showed an overall mortality rate oi only 2.1 per cent., compared with 10. a per cent, in the last war.” SKILFUL PLANNING. NEW YORK, June 13. The Washington correspondent ol the “New York Times” says that pre-invasion supply planning was carried out with incredible attention to detail. For example, every bridge in France that the Allies intend to cross has been measured, and a portable bridge is ready m England or on the beachhead to move torward with the engineers accompanying the invasion speai heads. This was revealed by LieutenantGeneral Somervell, Commander ol the United States Army Service Forces, who expressed great satisfaction with the manner in which vital supplies are flowing to France. DOVER SHELLED. LONDON, June 13. German guns on Cap Gris Nez opened fire across Ine Straits Oi Dover at 3 a.m. to-day. and again 50 minutes later. Mostly single shells were fired, some landing m the Dover area.

THE KING’S GUESTS. "RUGBY. June 13. The King at Buckingham Palace received in audience Mr. Chut chill, who gave a first-hand account oi what he saw during his visit to the Noimandy front yesterday. Mr. Churchill remained to lunch. . , The King also received Admnai King, chief of the United States operations.

REFUGEES IN ULSTER

RUGBY, June 13

Arrangements have been made in Northern Ireland to accommodate several thousand refugees from the Normandy beachheads, should their removal be necessary, states a Belfast message. PARIS FACES FAMINE. (Rec. 9.15 a.m.) - LONDON, June 13. Paris is threatened with its greatest famine, according to reports received at General de Gaulle’s headquarters at Algiers. Normandy was the main source of meat, butter, milk and .vegetables fdr Paris. The threat of famine has been increased by the Germans blocking all roads leading into the city. Peasants driving food carts towards Paris are stopped and the food seized. Paris is believed to have food reserves sufficient only for seven days. „ , , The reports add that 1,000,000 able bodied Paris citizens are being rounded up and sent to Germany at the rate of 10,000 daily. EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY. RUGBY, June 13. The news of the landings in France has- created records in the number of words transmitted from London to all parts of the world by cables and by radio. On D. Day some 400,000 .words were despatched. This total was almost doubled on June 9 when the total reached over 700,000 words.