Two Allied Amies Junction In France

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 3

Two Allied Amies Junction In France

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13. American 7th Army forces, advancing against lessening resistance today, reached Flagy, six miles north of Vesoul and 30 miles west of Belfort, says Reuter's correspondent at Mediterranean headquarters. The French gained further ground in the upper Ource Valley, south-east of Chatillon. The Germans continued stiff resistance against the Allied right flank between Villersexel and Pont de Roide.

The meeting between the 3rd and 7th Armies so far has-only been a slender contact by armoured patrols on the flanks of the converging armies. These contacts do not represent the main junction of the armies, though this cannot long be delayed. American army cameramen, who were present at the meeting at Seine la Baye, 15 miles north-west of Dijon, yesterday said it was possible to drive direct from Dijon to Paris in a day over roads under Allied control. Much evidence can be seen of the hasty German retreat. There are abandoned guns and lines of wrecked vehicles. French troops of the 7th and 3rd Armies have linked with the force on the Seine at Chatillon, closing the last remaining avenue to the enemy’s withdrawal from West and South France, reports an Allied communique. French forces, south-east of Chatillon, have made further rapid advances against weakening resistance. Forward elements have reached Recey sur Ource and also pushed across the Saone River north of Gray. 40,00,0 In the Bag: Death or captui'e are the grim alternatives facing the Germans, unofficially estimated at 40.000. who have ben cut off by a link-up in force of General Patch’s and General Patton's armies at Chatillon, says Reuter’s corresDondent at Mediterranean headquarters. The large bag of Germans remaining west of the new link-line officially is described as containing scattered but substantial groups of personnel. The invasion forces in Southern France already have captured 75,000, and the net is closing on Belfort.

The French on the Seventh Army’s right flank gained some five miles yesterday towards Montheliard, against relatively light opposition, but resistance is still strong near Pont' Deroide, where the French are within 10 miles of Belfort.

Marseilles F.F.I. radio stated that the F.F.I. has liberated the nort of La Rochelle. to which considerable German forces had returned.