LATE PROGRESS REPORTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1944, Page 5

LATE PROGRESS REPORTS

ALLIES HOLD INITIATIVE

LONDON, June 14

A communique at midnight stated: There was tremendous fighting and pressure by both sides near Tilly, which, we do not actually hold. The position about Caen is still the same, and there is great’milling about and near Troarn. The identity of three of the four Panzer divisions on the Allied left flank is now known, namely, the 2nd., 21st., ana 12th. S.S. (Hitler Jugend) Divisions. The Allies still have the initiative. The eriemy is still reinforcing to plug leaks and expending himself as the Allies desire him to do, without being able to launch a co-ordinated major counter-attack, said SHAEF. It is emphasised that in this fluid battle it is impossible to give an accurate survey. We had Montebourg and held it with light forces, but were pushed out and now hold the ground on both sides thereof. A big counter-attack against Carentan has been We -have slightly improved our position south of the town. There is great activity near Caumont and heavy fighting around ViUers-Bocage and it is not certain whether we hold the latter.

GERMAN VESSELS ATTACKED

LONDON, June 14

Shortly after midnight, seven enemy M class minesweepers were intercepted west of Minquicrs Rocks, by the Polish destroyed Piorun and His Majesty’s Ashanti. Action was joined at about three thousand yards, the enemy being illuminated by starshells. The enemy vessels were repeatedly hit and scattering, some of them sought shelter under the guns of the coastal batteries on the island of Jersey. North-east of Cap De La Hague, three enemy patrol vessels were intercepted and attacked early in the morning by light coastal forces. The first ship of the enemy line was hit by a torpedo and the second set on fire.