FOOTHOLDS GAINED IN WESTERN EUROPE

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1944, Page 5

FOOTHOLDS GAINED IN WESTERN EUROPE

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Luftwaffe Almost Entirely Absent (Received 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, This Day. DEPORTS OF OPERATIONS SO FAR SHOW OUR FORCES JV HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR INITIAL LANDINGS. FIGHTING CONTINUES. Allied heavy, medium, light and fighter-bombers continued the air bombardment in very great strength throughout the day, with attacks on gun emplacements, defensive works and

communications. This account of the day’s operations is given in the second communique issued by Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force. It added: “Shortly before midnight on Monday, Allied night-bombers opened the assault. Their attacks, in very great strength, continued till dawn. Between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. two naval task forces, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Philip Vian, flying his flag in His Majesty’s Scylla, and RearAdmiral Alan Goodrich Kirk, in te United States ship Augusta, launched their assault forces against enemy beaches. “Naval forces, which previously had assembled under the over-all command of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, made their departure in fresh weather and were joined, during the night,

by bombarding forces which previously had left northern waters. “Channels had to be swept through large enemy minefields. This operation was completed shortly before dawn, and, while the mine-sweeping flotillas continued to sweep toward the enemy coast, the entire naval force followed down the swept channels behind them towards their objective. “Shortly before the assault three enemy torpedo-boats, with armed trawlers in company, attempted to interfere with the operation and were promptly driven off. [ “Assault forces then moved towards the beaches under cover of heavy bombardment from destroyers and other support craft, while heavier ships engaged enemy batteries which had already been subjected to bombardment from the air. Some of these were silenced. “Allied forces continued to engage other batteries and landings were 1 effected under cover of air and naval bombardments and air-borne landings, involving troop-carrying aircraft and gliders. Landings of large , forces of troops were also made successfully at a number of points. Continuous fighter cover was maintained over the beaches and some distance inland, also over naval operations in the Channel. Our night-fighters played an equally important role, protecting shipping and troop-carrier forces, and in intruder operations.” “Allied reconnaissance aircraft maintained a continuous watch, day and night, over shipping and ground forces. Our aircraft met little enemy opposition or anti-aircraft fire. Naval casualties are regarded as being very light, especially when the magnitude of the operations is taken into account.”