AROUND PARIS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 66, 24 August 1944, Page 3

AROUND PARIS.

ACROSS THE SEINE. LONDON, August 22. The Americans now have bridgeheads across the Seine both north west and «outi.-<ast of Paris. The north-western b- is at Mantes, 25 miles down the river from Paris, and American fj c« s here are reported to b* advancing eastward beyond th-; river The Seine bridgehead la l':e southeast is reported to be nea*' Fintainbhie, about 30 miles up the river :r< m Paris. 4 4 The pocket east of Falaise is already beginning to crumble. We are closing up all along the lower reaches of the Seine,” says Reuter’s correspon dent with the United States 3rd Army. “The Germans fleeing across the Seine are threatened by the Allied crossing at Mantes.

“German resistance on the easl bank of the Seine is stiffening. The Germans are using machine guns and small arm| in an effort to halt the Americans, svho crossed the Seine without opposition. The Germans at other points along the Seine are still fleeing across the river under cover of darkness, abandoning a great deal of equipment. ’ ’

The Associated Press correspondent with the Americans says: ‘ ‘The Americans solidified their bridghehead across the Seine north-west of Paris. The first A merieans who crossed the Seine on Saturday night soon captured German 88mm guns by surprising the gun crews. A few enemy gunners escaped on bicycles and in civilian cars. ’ ’ The Algiers radio has announced the liberation of Toulon by French troops of the 7th Army.

Earlier, Reuter’s correspondent at Mediterranean Headquarters reported that two powerful French armpured forces had crashed through the defences of Toulon, which was on the verge of

capitulation. An American motorised column is reported to have passed southward through Angouleme, on the main railway to Bordeaux, 130 miles south of Nantes, without meeting resistance. The Swiss radio, quoting a report from the Italian frontier, says that the Allies are only 10 from the Italian frontier, and that French forces of the interior had liberated Lyons. To-day’s Supreme Headquarters communique says:

** Good progress been made between Lisieux and sea, where Allied troops have captured Dozule and Dives-sur-Mere, and have advanced to Annebault and Bonnebosq. “West of Lisieux we have taken Cambremer, while an advance north cf St. Martin de la Lieue has brought our troops within half a mile of Lisieux itself.

“Fighting is going on in the vicinity of Vimoutiers. Further south an advance has been east of Chambois. Gace is in our hands.

“Determined enemy efforts to break out of the encirclement were again checked effectively. Mopping up continues.

“There is nothing further to report from the remainder of the front. “The weather severely restricted air operations yesterday, but during the evening coastal aircraft attacked, enemy shipping near the mouth of the Gironde River. ”

“To-day’s Mediterranean Headquarters says: “Enemy rest: urnee Lae been stubborn in Toulon anl in the vicinity of Hyeres. American troops have reach ed Aix. Forward elements further north have reached Grambois and Manosque in an advance beyond the Durance River.

“Other American troops, extending the southern ‘France bridgehead some 60 miles inland, occupied a number of towns north of Draguignari. They are now under our control and the bridge head has been extended to more than 2000 square miles.” The Germans trapped in the Nor mandy pocket are dying in great numbers. A further 10,000 prisoners were taken to-day and more are still coming in. So far 25,000 prisoners have been taken in the pocket, this being a conservative estimate, and it is thought that the number of Germans killed will exceed this total.

“The sweep of the American forces! in the north-west sector of the bridge-; head in Southern France has been extended on a wider scale with the liber ation of Valensole, about 50 miles due north of Toulon, and reconnaissance elements, are operating in the nearby Asse Kiver valley,” says a correspondent. “Pertuis (10 miles north of Aix), where French Forces of the Interior had surrounded the enemy, is now firmiy in our hands.” ■ rces have reached the sex between Toulon and Marseiles, and Allied columns are now fanned out round Marseilles, which is practically cut off. German resistance is still stubborn ni the area of Toulon, and it is stated that it may be some time before the

town is completely liberated. Troops Bth Army have coi,. gleted the raferation of Florence, and

our patrols have pushed on beyond the city. PETAIN ARRESTED. LONDON, August 22. The Swiss radio says that, “according to most reliable sources,” the Germans arrested Marshal Petain last Sunday. An Agency report says Marshal Petain was arrested by the Gestapo.

PARIS LIBERATED. LONDON, August 23. The Allies have liberated Paris, after the people had been- 'under the German yoke for four REPORTED LANDING AT BORDEAUX. LONDON, August 23. It is reported that troops have been landed at Bordeaux. ,