TANKS KNOCKED OUT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 31, 5 January 1945, Page 5

TANKS KNOCKED OUT

PROGRESS OF FIRST ARMY. CRITICAL DAYS AHEAD. (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rcc. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4. The American First Army, in its counter-attack against the northern flank of .the German salient, had bv noon yesterday gained 2000 to'3ooo yards ill some places, knocking -out many German tanks, says the British United Press correspondent at Shaef. An American broadcaster on the First Army front said: "The First Army attack is still under way today. It means' that we have wrested the initiative from von Rundstedt. General Eisenhower several days ago called on the Allied troops who bore the brunt of von Rundstedt's offensive to rally and turn the temporary German successes into one of their greatest defeats. It is too early to say this has been done, but the next few days are going to be critical for both the Germans and the Americans."

Reuter's correspondent on the "Western Front says von Rundstedt has apparently decided to hold fast and fight it out in the Bastogne pocket] Fierce battles are taking place in snowstorms as the Americans fight their way towards Houffalize which is the key- to the German positions.

Reuter's correspondent with the Third Army reports that today the Germans have thrown in additional crack panzer divisions against the Third Army's lines north of. Bastogne, increasing the number of divisions around the Bastogne salient to 10. The American 101st Airborne Division has fought off panzer attacks north of Bastogne and has gone over ■to the offensive on one sector. All the 'American lines are holding firm. The infantry has made minor gains in the Wiltz area after fighting which is officially described r.s terrifically heavy. •'American tanks which, are surrounded by the Germans are holding out in [Wardin.

ATTACK NEAR ROCHEFORT

Reuter's correspondent on the Western Front reports that the Allies yesterday opened an attack in the Rochefort area, capturing Bure, three miles south of Rochfort and high ground dominating the -valley. This attack against the western tip of the German salient was synchronised with the First Army's attack in the north. Vigorous patrolling, continued on both "sides of the Northern Maas front. There is a marked increase in patrolling on the British sector., The United States Ninth Army made local advances in the Lammersdorf area breaking-up a German coun-ter-attack. The British Dinted Press correspondent at Shaef says the right wing of the First Army's counter-attack against the north flank of the German salient has advanced three and ai half miles through a snowstorm to f \ Bois de Tave, five miles north of Laroche where it repelled two German counter-attacks. The left wing has gain&d 4000 yards and now stands on ' a line running east and west through Odeignc, six miles south-west or Lier- . nieux. First Army forces gained 3000 yards in the Grandmenil sector.