TRIUMPHS IN HOLLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1944, Page 5

TRIUMPHS IN HOLLAND

BREDA AMONG CAPTURES

BRITISH-CANADIAN ADVANCES

GERMAN WITHDRAWAL GENERAL

LONDON, October 29

British, Canadian, and Polish forces are closing in on the Dutch town of Breda, about 10 miles south of the Maas estuary. Breda is the most important communications centre in Southern Holland still held by the Germans, now that Tilburg, Hertogenbosch, and Bergen op Zoom (on the Scheldt estuary) are all in Allied hands. Correspondents report that the Allies are neai' the southern outskirts of Breda, and less than two miles away to the southeast. There are signs of stiffening enemy resistance as the Allies push north towards the lower Maas, but they were last reported to be only five miles from the river. The bridgehead on the island of South Beveland has again been extended. On the south side of the Schelde estuary the German pocket has been still further reduced. The Canadian forces which captured Bergen op Zoom have crossed a canal north of the town. On the east side of the Allied salient, the Germans are still counterattacking in the area west of Venloo. To-day’s communique from Supreme Headquarters says that these attacks have been repelled. “The Allied pursuit of the Germans falling back on the Maas continued on Saturday night, with the Canadians pushing on 1000 yards north ol Bergen op Zoom, British forces approaching the outskirts of Rosendaal, and Poles thrusting within two and a-half miles of Breda,” says an Associated Press correspondent The Canadians advancing west into South Beveland are now within three miles of the British sea-borne troops, who extended their bridgehead two miles westward. Bitter lighting is still going on in the Scheldt pocket, but the Canadians, pushing the Germans back to the coast, have captured positions only two miles east of Zuidzande. The Poles, who are driving towards Breda, have also. linked up with British armoured units near Rijen (about midway between Breda and Tilbuig). Breda ‘is also being approached from the south by the Canadian units. A German High Command repoit savs that the British are making an nil-out drive for the river ciossings south of Dordrecht, particularly the Muerdijk bridge.

CORRESPONDENTS’ REPORTS

GERMAN RETREAT RAPID

LONDON. October 29. A correspondent says that the Gelmans of the 15th Army are withdrawing everywhere, and that it is hkely that they are falling back to the long bridge of the Maas at Muerdijk (15 miles south-east of Rotterdam) or to the ferries over the Maas near its mouth at Willemstad. Another message says the Germans are going back fast. There is no doubt that they are finished south of the Maas. A dispatch from a correspondent with the British 2nd Army tends to substantiate these reports that the Germans are withdrawing on a laige scale in South-west Holland. This correspondent says: “Within 24 hours three very important towns south of the River Maas have fallen into the hands of the British 2nd Army or the Canadian Army, and forces oi both armies were on Saturday converging on the two remaining towns of Breda and Rosendaal. The final clearance of Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, and Bergen op Zoom has effectively broken the back of General von Zangen s strongpoint system south of the Maas, and with their half-effective communication. routes to Breda and Rosendaal severed by the swift advance of the Allied flying columns, the German formations left in this north-west salient must withdraw to a firmer and shorter line further north. If the Germans are unable to halt the present converging drives their next defence line cannot be below the line ol the jy/j a a s “The German four-pronged diversionary attack on the east of the Allied corridor, after recapturing Mei.]el (10 miles south-west of Venloo) and achieving a small briedghead over the Deurne Canal north of the town had by Saturday afternoon been halted, although fierce fighting continued m the neighbourhood. These two gains apart, German infantry and tanks in sizeable formations were unable on Saturday to dislodge our troops from their positions. Hertogenbosch was on Saturday afternoon completely clear of the enemy to the last sniper, and Scottish troops were able by this evening 1o declare Tilburg tree of Germans. Our troops are now fighting along a small river west of Hertogenbosch.. ADVANCES MAINTAINED. “While these towns were being cleared British armour and infantry were busy clearing' out pockets bypassed between the two Flying column attacks which on Saturday morning made a swift drive north-west and south of Tilburg, had by the afternoon advanced eight to nine miles along the Breda road, and by the evening they were in sight of the outskirts of Breda. Canadian troops are pressing along the road immediately south of Breda. The Canadian forces who stormed their way into Bergen op Zoom now htive a firm hold on the town. The British beachhead on the South Beveland coast had by Saturday evening been strengthened, and the Canadian build-up across the Beveland Canal, in the drive westward along the isthmus, continues.” “West of Hertogenbosch enemy resistance is stiffening,” says another correspondent, “and according to a spokesman at Lieutenant-General Dempsey’s headquarters it looks as though the enemy is trying to carry out his familiar task of holding open the door with his left flank while his troops on the right withdraw to the north. Troops pushing west from Hertogenbosch found the enemy had developed the A [waterings Canal—a horseshoe-shaped waterway from the River Maas—as a defence line on which Io pivot while he endeavoured to swing northward the remainder of his forces from the south-west. He is holding on to Loonopzand (six miles north o£ Tilburg). British troops have, however, reached a point some 2000 yards east of Loonopzand. but it has been tough going. Our infantry and armour have run up against another screen of 88mm. guns. The farthest point of the advance in this direction has brought our patrols one mile south-east of Dongen (nine miles north-west of Tilburg). “It was a flying column of Allied troops with tanks which succeeded in cutting the Breda-Tjlburg road,” says a correspondent with the 21 st Army Group. The Canadians and the British, in the joint operations against South Beveland, have now taken 800 prisoners. The capture of 500 more prisoners in the Breskens pocket on Friday brought the Canadian Army’s total in this area to 5000.” OFFICIAL REVIEW LONDON, October 29. To-day’s SHAEF communique states: “In South Beveland the Al-

lied bridgehead over the Beveland Canal has been extended. We have south of the Scheldt reached the outskirts of Zuidzane. three miles southeast of Kadzand. - Our forces on the east Of the Dutch salient have repulsed counter-attacks west ana north of Meijel. “There are no important changes from Aachen to Foret de Parrow. Our patrols are active m the Aachen and Monschau areas. “In the Epinal sector, we have made limited gains east ol Br yet-es We captured the village ol Jussaiupt, four miles south-east ol Bruyeies. Enemy artillery fire was stiong several points in this area; also in tn Vosges Mountains. ARMIES JOIN ON. RUGBY, October 29. British and Canadian forces m S. Beveland and the Scheldt Estuary, have linked up, reported a correspondent with the 21st Army Group. Broda was entered by a column oi General Dempsey’s mobile infantry and tanks, which formed the spearhead westwards along the Tilburg Breda Road. The town was entered following the over-running of the on Sunday morning after a pause village of Dorst, about lour miles to the east, on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon the troops had cleai ed Breda of the main body of enemy resistance. and later were hunting out enemy nests and snipers’ posts. Breaa is the fourth Dutch town to fall to the British-Canadians in the past two days. _ MORE PRISONERS CAPTURED (Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 29. The capture of 600 prisoners in what is known as the Knocke Pocket (near Zuidzande), yesterday, brought the Canadian total of prisoners m the Battle of Breskens Pocket to 6000, says a correspondent, who adds: In the local fighting which suddenly flared up yesterday in the Dunkirk region 200 Germans were captured. Another correspondent, describing the operations on the east side of the salient, says: The diversionary attack on our positions in the region ol Meijel, west of. the Meuse, has increased in severity. A stiff attack last night by sizeable formations of infantry, supported by tanks, was held, and this morning the Germans sent in another wave in the endeavour, to shake our positions. Fierce fighting continues, with the Germans bringing in reinforcements, including at least 30 tanks and support infantry. In the past six days the British Second Army has taken 2750 prisoners in the northern area, and it is estimated that there is one German dead or wounded to each captive during the period. Heavy calibre German artillery shelled the city of Luxemburg. Our units in the Moselle Valley encountered sporadic artillery and small-arms fire.

The enemy’s communication system in Holland and the Rhineland was under air attack all day. Medium bombers and light bombers hit a railway bridge over the Yssel River at Deventer. Fighter-bombers, in strength, attacked railways and bridges in the Rhineland from Wesel in the north to Karlsruhe in the south, and destroyed and damaged more than 40 locomotives, a large number of railway trucks, and cut the railway tracks west of the Rhine in some 60 places. Medium bombers and light bombers attacked railway bridges at Ahhweiler. One light bomber is missing. Fighter-bombers during the day shot down 13 enemy planes.

“FORWARD AT GREAT RATE"

(Rec. Noon). LONDON, October 29. The whole Allied front in Southwestern Holland is moving forward at a great rate towards- the Maas, tonight, says Reuter’s correspondent at 21st Army Group Headquarters. The Americans are fighting under the Canadian command in the Rozendaal sector, where the Germans are making their principal rearguard stand. Allied pilots report that the roads west of the British Second Army front and north of the Canadian First Army front are “alive” with German transport, making a full-scale but orderly withdrawal toward the bridge crossings over the Hollandische, Diep and Maas.

The British United Press correspondent says that while the Poles have cleared the Breda, the British Second Army forces have pushed within four miles of the Maas estuary on the road from Tilburg to Sprang. Spitfires all day strafed the roads north of Breda and Rozendaal. They encountered strong flak opposition, and the claims of destruction so far are not large. The link-up of the two forces on South Beveland Island occurred in the area of Hoedekenskerke. Canadian forces from the mainland are now pushing into the outskirts of Goes, which is the island’s chief communications centre. The German News Agency stated that the floods on Walcheren were eight to nine feet deep. The island was almost completely inundated and. the lower floors of houses in Middleburg and Domberg were under water. GERMAN ATTACKS (Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 29. British forces captured Loon op Zand, says Reuter’s correspondent. The Canadians captured Wouwsche, on the main road from Bergen op Zoom to Roosendaal. British troops captured Breda, which is cleared except for snipers. Canadians are continuing to pour into South Beveland. They have driven farther westward and captured Kepelle, two miles east of Goes, and also Gravenpolder, four miles south of Goes. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s correspondent with the Second Army says the Germans attacking the Eijel area brought aircraft to support their operations. This was the first appearance of the Luftwaffe there. The enemy, this morning, put in an attack against Leissel in battalion strength, with fifteen tanks and selfpropelled guns. The attack here is perhaps best described as a largescale diversion in the attempt to buy lime, while the withdrawal goes on farther west. The attack against our positions in the Meijel region increased in severity this afternoon. Our forces were engaged in bitter fighting to defend the positions and prevent determined enemy efforts to infliltrate our lines. The Germans are bringing in reinforcements, and fierce fighting is continuing. The British United Press correspondent says: The German attack against the east flank turned out to be more than a diversionary move. It is evidently an attempt to form a buffer west of the Maas against any future British thrust towards Ger-

AMERICANS OVERCOME (Recd. 1 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. Reinforced German columns on General. Dempsey’s cast flank to-day violently attacked and overran the American-held Leissel and pushed along the road toward Asten, says the Associated Press correspondent. British guns planes were sent in support of the Americans who yielded ground in a desolate waterlogged area, only after bitter fighting. The Germans so far have committed one panzer division of fifty tanks and self-pro-pelled guns. They advanced two miles across the Deurne Canal at the point of the deepest penetration, but late to-day the combined British and American fire appeared to be slowing the momentum of their attack. SOUTHERN AREA. LONDON, October 28. According to reports of the Third American Army’s patrols, Germans have withdrawn, slightly north of the Foret de Parroy, says a correspondent at Supreme Headquarters. They have abandoned Xures and Zanrey. Two other places, Zezange Le Petit, and Lezey, are held only by snipers. The fighting is becoming fiercer in Maizeres Les, and the Germans are using flame-throwers in the streets. Although it is only a small village, it is proving a hard nut for the Americans to crack. The Paris radio states that American reinforcements reached the F.F.I. in the La Rochelle area and a new offensive against the Germans strongly entrenched there is expected soon. GERMANS SHELL REFUGEES (Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 29. German artillery to-day shelled Brand, three miles south-east of Aachen, where 2000 civilian refugees from Aachen are encamped, says Reuter’s correspondent with the United States Ist Army. The German gunners had Brand .under permanent observation, and must have known it was a refugee centre. COMPENSATION FOR DUTCH LONDON, October 29. Acording to a report lately received from Holland by the Netherland Government Information Bureau, the Germans have wrought new and extensive destruction and damage. It is now certain that the recuperative power of the Netherlands, with their dense populations, will be greatly impaired from the viewpoints of agriculture, industry and commerce. It is impossible to expect, considering the legitimate claims of other nations, that Germany will be able to make good the damage by making a transfer of economic assets from one side of the frontier to the other within a able period. Experience gained at the encl of the last war showed the difficulties attending on such a transfer. Considering, further, that it is in the general interest that Germany shall be made to realise once and for all that aggression does not pay, it is possible that the people of the Netherlands may reach the conclusion, in spite of their innate repugnance to all forms of armed conquest, that, if some substantial measures of reparation is to be made by the _ invaders, a suitable part of the adjoining Prussian territory should either be ceded to the Netherlands (provision being made for the absorption by Germany of the Prussian inhabitants) or be brought into the dominion and economic opbit of the Netherlands on a provisional or permanent basis. » -SIEGFRIED” REHEARSALS RUGBY, October 29. Duplicates ,of the Siegfried Line fortifications were built in Maryland (United States) to try out the American ammunition that was to blast the pillboxes. This was revealed to a correspondent at Supreme Headquarters by Major-General S. B. Sayler, Chief of the United States Ordnance Service in the European theatre of operations, when he stated: “I can honestly and definitely say we have superior weapons that will eventually bring the enemy to unconditional surrender. Our weapons are more powerful and more accurate, and can hurl projectiles at greater ranges than any comparable pieces the Germans can muster.” French civilian firms are now overhauling tanks, and engineers are retreading tyres and servicing batteries, and captured German 88 m.m. guns are being turned on the enemy by the Americans fighting along the Siegfried Line. He added that the war would end with one-and-a-half months’ supplies in hand. Ordnance, in liberated French and Belgium territory had eight depots covering 826 square miles with 730 roads, and could deal with 14,000 tons a day. A total of 1,600,000 tons has been received in France. The American forces have fired 50 rounds of ammunition per second since the start of the invasion.