Practically Whole Of Crete Now Freed

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1944, Page 5

Practically Whole Of Crete Now Freed

(Rec. 1.45 p.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 1

The whole of Crete has now been freed with the exception of one small corner around Suda Bay, Canea and Maleme airfield, says Reuter’s correspondent at guerilla headquarters near Suda Bay. Ten thousand Germans and 5000* Italian Fascists, under the command of Colonel Bendak, are cut off in this corner without hope of escape or rescue.

The battle for the island was fought and lost in this area 31 years ago. The enemy has concentrated behind a 30mile perimeter around Maleka Peninsula, probably more than 500 field pieces and coastal anti-aircraft artillery, in addition to ample supplies of food, ammunition and petrol, carefully dispersed in deep rock caves. They Lave twice, within the last month, rejected surrender proposals. A correspondent of the Associated Press says that the Cretan guerillas are trained and armed by British officers. Britishers fighting with the guerillas include Major (Paddy) LeeFermour, D. 5.0., 0.8. E. (who captured General Heinrich Kreipe, commander of the 22nd Panzer Grenadier Division, last April), and Captain William Stanley-Moss, of the Coldstream Guards. These officers infiltrated from the mainland three years ago and have been living in caves and contacting guerillas, forming bands and arranging for shipments of arms from the Middle East.

The 7th Army radio stated that American troopS are fighting on the outskirts of Saarlautern (S.aar-

louis)

A correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph at Supreme Headquarters says that Thunderbolt pilots report that roads leading east and north-east from Saarlautern arc crammed with civilians leaving the city. The Germans have won back the village of Roerdorf, which the 9th Army entered on Thursday. The Allied line is now 200 yards west of the village.