THREE ALLIED ARMIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 241, 8 September 1944, Page 5

THREE ALLIED ARMIES

PREPARING GREAT ASSAULT

MASSING ON WESTERN FRONT

LONDON, Sept. 7.

Three Allied armies are preparing to attack Germany from the west. In Lorraine General Patton's armour has crossed the Moselle River; the Meuse has been crossed at several points On a 60mile front by the First United States Army; and the British in Belgium are established on the Albert Canal, 30 miles from the German frontier.

The Americans in the Moselle sector met with very, strong enemy artillery fire, but their armour succeeded in reaching the eastern bank of the river and the Germans are now being heavily shelled. The Germans are stubbornly defending this area, and bad weather is limiting Allied operations. The Germans have blown up all the bridges over the Albert Canal and are obviously intending to make a stand along its course, the British forces are consolidating their positions.

All three armies are Wilding up their supplies and Btrength.in preparation for the great .assault. In the battle for the Channel ports the Allies have made further progress and have liberated a number of places.

The situation at the isolated ports shows little change. The Allies have advanced nearer and are reported to be in the outskirts of Boulogne and Calais. Today Field-Marshal Montgomery paid a visit to Brussels,'where he had a great reception.