Major Move East And North-East Of Falaise

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1944, Page 3

Major Move East And North-East Of Falaise

(Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 19. The major Allied movement today has been to the east and northeast of Falaise, reports a correspondent at headquarters. The enemy is withdrawing north-eastwards in the general direction of Rouen. There does not appear to be any southward or south-eastward swing in the German retirement. Considerable enemy movement has been observed by day through what remains of ArgentanTrun gap. These troops have been heavily shelled and bombed and such enemy elements as are getting through the gap have been reduced to a chaotic condition. The Allies, are now on high ground south of Trun. The northern part of the line there advances two to six miles. Varaville, St. Jalien, Le Eaucon and Ecots have been liberated in the advance near Troarn. Beyond the river Dies, advances have been made another two miles east aci’oss the River Vie. There is some doubt about the identification of a place named Authon mentioned in today’s communique as having been liberated in the eastward drive in Northern France. It might be one of three places of that name. The largest and most likely is 10 miles south of Le Rotrou, the second is 20 miles north-east of Tours, the third —Authon le Plessis —is seven miles west of Etames.