FIERCE BATTLES RAGE IN SNOW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21604, 5 January 1945, Page 3

FIERCE BATTLES RAGE IN SNOW

ENEMY BLOWS AGAINSf THIRD ARMY 10 DIVISIONS CONFRONTING AMERICANS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4. The American First Army’s new attack against the northern flank of Field Marshal von kundstedt’s salient in the Ardennes is progressing to-day, says Reuter’s correspondent at Supreme Allied Headquarters. The exact points of the attack and a definite outline of progress cannot be given for security reasons. The Americans had by noon yesterday gained 2000 to 3000 yards in some places, knocking out many German tanks, says the British United Press correspondent at Supreme Allied Headquarters. The American Third Army, following six German counter-attacks has now lost the initiative in the Bastogne area. An American broadcaster on the First Army front said that the First Army attack is still under way to-day. “It means that we have wrested the initiative from Rundstedt. General Eisenhower several days ago called on Allied troops who bore the brunt of Rundstedt’s offensive to rally and turn the temporary German successes into one of their greatest defeats. It is too early to say that this has been done, but the next few days are going to be critical for -both the Germans and the Americans. Reuter’s correspondent on the Western Front says that Rundstedt has apparently decided to hold fast and fight it out in the Bastogne pocket. Fierce battles are taking place in snowstorms as the Americans fight their way towards Houffalize, which is the key to the German positions. Reuter’s correspondent with the Third Army reports to-day that the Germans have thrown in additional crack Panzer divisions against the Third Army’s lines north of Bastogne, increasing the number of divisions around the Bastogne salient to 10. , A The First Army’s assault in the north has placed Rundstedt in a defensive position for the first time since he took the offensive on December 16, says the New York Times’ correspondent in Paris, Mr. Drew Middleton. General Hodges’ attack is believed to be on a considerable scale. The American Seventh Army has withdrawn more than five miles in the Wissembourg Gap, losing Wissembourg and other towns.