NAZI COUNTER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21549, 31 October 1944, Page 3

NAZI COUNTER

ALLIED FLANK AMERICANS* OVERRUN GUNS SLOWING DRIVE (British Official Wlrelesß.j RUGBY, Oct. 29. Reinforced German columns on General Dempsey’s east flank to-day violently attacked and over-ran the American-held town of Leissel and pushed along the road toward Asten, says the Associated Press correspondent. British guns and planes were sent to support the Americans, who yielded ground in a desolate, waterlogged area only after bitter fighting. The Germans have so far committed one Panzer division of 50 tanks and self-propelled guns. They advanced two miles across the Deurne Canal at the noint of their deepest penetration, but ‘late to-day the combined British and American fire appeared to be slowing the momentum of their attack.

The Exchange and Telegraph correspondent ..with the Second Army says that the Germans brought aircraft to support their operations. This is the first appearance of the Luftwaffe there. The attack against Leissel is perhaps best described as a large-scale diversion in an attempt to buy time while the withdrawal goes on further west. The attack against our positions in the Meijei region increased in severity this afternoon. The Allied forces are engaged in bitter fighting to defend their positions and prevent determined enemy efforts to infiltrate into our lines. The Germans are bringing in reinforcements and fierce fighting is continuing. Diversionary Move

Another correspondent, describing operations on toe east side of tne salient, says that the diversionary attack on our positions in the region of Meijei has increased in severity. A stiff attack last night by sizeable xormations of infantry, supported by tanks, was held and tnis morning the Germans sent in another wave in an endeavour to shake our positions. Fierce fighting continues, with the Germans bringing in reinforcements, including at least 30 tanks and support infantry. The British United Press correspondent says that the German attack against the Allies’ east flank turned out to be more than a diversionary move, ft is evidently an attempt to form a buffer west of the Maas against any future British thrust towards Germany, m 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 aead or wounded to each captive during the period. 'The link-up of two Allied forces in the south of Beveland island occurred in the area of Hoedekenskerke. Canadian lorces from the mainland are now pushing into tne outskirts of Goes, whicn is the island’s chief communications centre. The German News Agency stated that the floods on Walcneren island are eight to 9ft. deep. The island is almost completely inundated. The lower floors of the houses in Middleourg and Domberg are under water. Tne capture ot 600 prisoners in what is known as Knocke pocket, near Zuidzande, yesterday brought me Canadians’ total of prisoners in the battle of the Breskens pocket to uUUO, says a correspondent, who adds mat in local fighting which suddenly hared up yesterday in the Dunkirk region 2uo Germans were captured. ,