WEST FRONT GAINS

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1945, Page 5

WEST FRONT GAINS

BY ALLIED FORCES In North And Centre NO general offensive yet (Rec. 12.8) LONDON, Feb. 16 To-day’s communique from Allied Supreme Headquarters says: “Allied forces have captured Warheyen, four miles north-east of Kleve, and have advanced beyond it on to the Rhine. “South of the Reichswald forest, we have extended our bridgehead across the Nieru River, and have captured Kessel and Hommersum, in spite of stiffening enemy resistance.

“Northwest of Echternach we havq gained half a mile. Northward, agtrfnst strong resistance, we reached high ground one mile south-east of Kruchten. “Six miles east south-east of Vianden we gained a quarter of a mile and reached an area one and a halt miles n’orth of. Ferschweiler, and one mile west of the Prum River. “North of Echternach we have continued to clear pill boxes. We gained three-quarters of a mile south-east of Remich against small arms and mortar fire, and reached a point one mile south-east of Sinz, clearing a number of pill boxes “In northern Alsace, west of Hagenau we have repulsed an enemyraid across the Moder River, whic followed an artillery concentration. “Strasbourg Saverne has undeigone hostile shelling. . “Allied forces in the west prisonered 1,499 on Thursday " The capture of Kessel cost tish troops only seven casualties. They forced the Niers River and captured Kessel south of the Reichswald Forest and in the southern flank or General Crerar’s advence. They are pushing along the main road toward the Siegfried bastion three and a-hall miles away. > , ~ . Everyone thought Kessel would be a tough nut to crack but the outcome surprised even the Allied intelligence. The Germans apparently withdrew a sizeable ’paratroop force and, when the British crossed the Niers River and rattled through thick scrub, mine belts and vicious booby-traps, they took only 40 tired, dirty and hungry prisoners. It is eerie and ugly on The Niers front, where death in some form or another is around every corner. Germans are now slamming artillery and mortar shells in Kessel and the sick, sour stench of death comes with gusts of wind. Despite the virtual immobilisation of the German forces by the Second Tactical Air Force’s widespread operations yesterday, progress is. becoming tougher every day. Germans noith of Kessel are laying down a heavy shell and mortar barrage against the British positions and the enemy is determinedly trying to prevent a break-out from the forest area. The most spectacular advances on the northern front were made by the Canadians who entered Hurendeich, 1000 yards from the Rhine, opposite Emmerich. Allies working a way through the second Siegfried Line have not yet reached anything like a break-out position and, though roads are drying out quickly, the weather is still not the most favourable. Enemy resistance in all sectors has reached a point Where every tactical advance, however limited, must be fought for heavily, and then held against stiff local counter-attacks. Reuter’s S.H.A.E.F. correspondent says that except lor the Canadian front an unusual quiet prevails along the Western Front like an ominous calm before a storm. . A continuous mist which has wiped out all flying and blotted out all side lamps on vehicles for 16 hours, has slowed up the British and Canadian offensive between the Rhine and the iMLci&s / It is not true to say that the offensive is petering out, but for the first time for several days there have been only local advances in the last 24 hours. The Canadians now control the ferry across the Rhine at Emmerich, over which the Germans have been evacuating their forces.

FLYING BOMBS. LONDON. February. 15. German flying-bomb activity over th e northern sector of the Western Front reached its highest peak of the war, during the last 24 hours, says the Associated Press correspondent with the Ninth Army. Most of the missiles were directed against frontline troops. AMERICAN CASUALTIES. WASHINGTON, February 15. . Mr Stimson announced that American casualties in Western Europe from D Day to February 1, were 394 874, comprising 63,410 killed, 273 997 wounded and 57,467 missing. The total casualties from all services is now 782,180. ( NAZI HAS A "PRISONER SLAIN. t LONDON, February 15. The Nazi Mayor of Hellenthan, the small German town now under the fire of the First U.S. Army s guns, murdered an American Army Air Corps major, who baled out over Germany, says the British United Pre c s correspondent on the western front. The story was told by an anti-Nazi police chief, who said that German” guards to which the airman surrendered were putting him aboaid a train for a prison camp, when Mayor Fischer and four members of the'Gestapo arrived. Fischer yelled: “What are you doing with that schweinhund ? He has been raping women and assaulting children. Take him out and shoot him ! The soldiers tried to explain that the American had surrendered immediately after landing, but Fischer ordered four Gestapo men to give him a going over. When they finished, the airman lay unconscious and bleeding in the gutter. Then all five drew pistols and finished him off.

GOEBBELS' PAPER GOING OUT. LONDON, February 15. Dr. Goebbels’ own newspaper, “Der Angriff,” is ceasing publication next Saturday, after which there will be only one Berlin evening paper, the “Nachtausgegabe." says the German News Agencv. Dr. Goebbels founded “Der Angriff”, in which he established his reputation as a Nazi propagandist.