THE OFFENSIVE IN FRANCE

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 59, 31 July 1944, Page 3

THE OFFENSIVE IN FRANCE

PROGRESS CONTINUES. LONDON, July 25. In spite of intense enemy opposition on all sectors of the British and Canadian and American fronts in Normandy progress continues to be made. In the sector south of Caen troops of the British 2nd Army have advanced lOOO yards tu a mile in places on a front of three miles and a half. West of St. Lo United States troops have made an advance of up to 3000 yards on a wide front and have crossed the St. Lo-Periers road at a number of places. The latest reports emphasise the unprecedented ferocity of the German resistance.

Reuter’s correspondent says it is as if Hitler in this moment of crisis had personally commanded every nyin to make a supreme effort. The heaviest fighting is south of Caen, where infantry are mainly engaged, with tanks and artillery in support. The Germans are using reinforcements which they are able to bring up during the lull in the fighting last w-eek. About 20 per cent, of the German reinforcements are stated to be S.S. troops. The British forces had to give up ground previously taken, leaving the Germans holding high ground.

LOSS OF ESQUAY AND HILL 112,

LONDON, July 27. For the first time in the brief history of the Battle of France a serious set-back is reported on the British front south-west of Caen, on the west bank of the Orne River, where heavy German counter-attacks have resulted in the loss of Esquay, and also the important Hill 112, half a mile northwest of the village. Hard and bitter fighting is occurring in this area. The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s correspondent at Supreme Allied Headquarters says: “Strenuous battles aie also reported on the east bank of the' Orne River, where our troops are up against the best-organised German defensive system yet encountered in the Normandy fighting.”