FULL SCALE ATTACK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 August 1944, Page 5

FULL SCALE ATTACK

LAUNCHED BY CANADIANS STRONG DEFENCE POSITION BROKEN ADVANCE OF TWO MILES (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) London, Aug. 14. The Canadians launched a fullscale attack at noon to-day towards Falaise, says a correspondent in the front line. Operations supported by over 1000 R.A.F. heavy in addition to medium bombers. The Canadians succeeded in breaking through an enemy strong defence position in the Laison valley and early this afternoon had advanced two miles and were only four miles from Falaise. Another correspondent stales that the Germans under rearguard cover have withdrawn from almost the whole of the Vire-Mortain salient and Americans are following up rapidly. The Canadians launched their attack at noon at a point where the enemy probably least expected it—the Laison valley—says a correspondent in Normandy. The enemy had packed the valley and its commanding slopes with 88’s and anti-tank guns of all kinds, but Canadian armour dealt a smashing blow at this defence line and within a couple of -lours had broken through the valley to advance two miles to the next piece of rising ground. GIANT CURTAIN OF SMOKE The smoke screen which the Canadians put down with their guns formed two giant curtains which provided covering walls between which they pushed through the valley, and a thick antitank screen of 88's which the enemy had massed could have been of little use to him, being blotted-out by smoke which rose gently in the air on an almost windless day. As the Canadians pressed forward the R.A.F. came over to play its part which was to protect the Canadians’ right flank by saturation bombing of the area from which any German coun-ter-attack could be expected. From 2 until 4 o’clock Lancasters and Halifaxes showered tons of high explosives down on enemy positions and there was hardly a break in the rumble of exploding bombs.

The enemy still clings to ThuryHarcourt, but the position there is almost untenable since the town is overlooked by the Allies from every side. Air support of the ground forces to prevent a German breakaway has been incessant and in great strength.