GERMANS CHECKED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21603, 4 January 1945, Page 5

GERMANS CHECKED

SAAR BASIN ZONE ENEMY CROSSES BLIES ALLIED UNITS RETIRE (10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 3. The German counter-attacks which flared up at many places along a 70-mile front in the Saar Valley seem to be contained, but the enemy is exerting pressure at most places, reports Reuter’s correspondent at Supreme Allied Headquarters. Enemy pressure is being contained in the Saar Valley by jabbing attacks along a 53-mile front stretching from Volkingen to east of Bitche. Their deepest penetration was made at a point south of Bannstein where, after a two-mile advance, they are being held. Some of our forces have been withdrawn from across the German frontier north-east of Sarreguemines. In the Rimling area, anotner attack by a battalion of enemy infantry was repulsed and groups which had managed to infiltarte into our lines were mopped up. The Germans still hold a bridgehead oyer the Blies River.

“Enemy activity has increased in the Saar Valley.” states Supreme Allied Headquarters. “South-east of Saarlautern, a small-scale infantry attack in the area of Geiflautern was repulsed and our units cleared the area north-east of Sarreguemines. An infantry attack near Neunkirchen was contained. Enemy attempts between Habkirchen and Bliesbrucken to cross the Blies River were repulsed. German units are across the Blies River. Five companies of German infantry farther east gained one kilometre from the area south of Obergailbach to a point just west of Rimlingen. Enemy attacks, supported by tanks, south-east of Bitche forced our units to give some ground initially, but all thrusts were either slowed somewhat or halted. Strong enemy pressure continued in the lower Vosges mountains, where hostile attacks were launched. Attempts to infiltrate were made at several points in an area five miles north of Reipertsweiler. Farther east patrolling was active and .particularly aggressive in the vicinity of Berg, near the Rhine. Enemy pockets west of the Rhine further south were generally quiet.. Our troops captured a strong-point north of Membs and held it against a counter-attack.”