BULGE FLATTER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21619, 23 January 1945, Page 3

BULGE FLATTER

WESTERN BATTLE U.K. ARMOUR’S DRIVE FRENCH CAIN GROUND (11 a.m.). LONDON, Jan. 22. Correspondents at Supreme Allied Headquarters state that the Germans are pulling out from the flattened Ardennes bulge along a 25-mile front from south of Houffalize to the Diekirch area. Third Army troops further advanced north-east of Bastogne and more to the east are nearing Vianden. British armour and infantry further north are methodically reducing the German bridgehead west of the Roer River between Linnich and Roermond. The Bench offensive into the southern flank of the Colmar pocket continues to gain ground, but details are being withheld. To-day’s communique from Supreme Allied Headquaretrs says: “Our mortar fire dispersed a small enemy force which was forming at Middlelaar, on the east bank of the Maas, eight miles south of Nijmegen. We cleared the area between the Juliana Canal and the Mass in the vicinity of Stevensweert and Echt, following the linking up of our forces in that sector. We met determined resistance north-east of Echt, and fighting continues. We have taken Bocket and Waldfeucht, both four miles west of Heinsberg, afer gaining over two miles, and beat oil a counter-attack at Waldfeuch. Advance in St, Vith Area

“We made minor gains in the wooded area two and a half to three miles north-west and west of St. Vith, where operations hampered by the difficult terrain, snow and ice roads. We have captured Bisboule, Tavigny, Vetteru and Buret, all within three or four miles south-east of Houffalize. “We have taken Moinet, Troine, Lullange and Hoft'elt, all in the area from six to 11 miles north-east of Bastogne. and have reached the Wiltz River in the area three miles west of Wiltz. We cleared Bourcheid and Burden, on the west bank of the Saure River four miles north-west and two miles west respectively of Diekirch. “Our forces cleared Bastoendorf and advanced to Landscheid, three miles north of Diekirch. An enemy counter-attack south-east of Remich with tanks and infantry made slight progress just north of Nenning. We repulsed another tank and infantry attack in the vicinity of Tettingen. “Recent enemy aggressiveness in the Bitche salient has subsided to a normal patrol clash. We repulsed an attack in the enemy Rhine bridgehead north of Strasbourg and knocked out four of 18 supporting tanks. Our forces on the southern flank in the Colmar sector pressed their attack vigorously, despite stubborn opposition and heavy snow. Several hundred enemy prisoners were taken.”