40 MILES FROM PARIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 17 August 1944, Page 5

40 MILES FROM PARIS

HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED NEWS FROM GERMAN SOURCE London, Aug. 16. To-days German communique says that heavy fighting is going on against American forces at Chartres and Dreux. which are little more than 40 miles from Paris. (There has been no news of the posi tion of General Patton's mobile armour ed forces since the official reports several days ago that they had captured Le Mans and were in the Argen tan area. Dreux is 60 miles east ol Argentan and due west of Paris, and Chartres is 70 miles north-east of Le Mans). The German news agency commentator Captain Sertorius commenting on the German communique and Berlin radio’s reference to the presence of Allied troops in the Chartres and Dreux region said: “It remains to be seen whether the movements are destined to pin down the German reserves or a big attempt at outflanking the German armies fighting in Normandy. The enemy's intention in the latter case would be to cut off these German forces from Paris and press them back into the area of the Seine.” The British United Press says if the German report is true it means we have forces of some strength on the flank of the mauled remainder of the German forces which escaped from the FalaiseArgentan pocket, and adds: “Any pressure northwards from the ChartresDreux area would force the retreating Germans against the Seine at a point where it is least passable and might result in the extermination of the whole German forces west of the river. No whisper of this move has come from any other source. The news, if true, completely changes the whole picture in northern France.” If the German report is correct the Allies have jumped forward 55 miles, says the British United Press, which describes the German statement as “the most sensational admission of the war.” DETAILS OF THRUST Berlin radio, giving details of the I thrust towards Paris, said: “Enemy for- ! mations concentrated at Le Mans first ! drove to the north beyond Alencon, ! then after bringing up fresh formations j the Americans during the past few days ! pressed on into the areas of Nogent le Rolrou and La Loupe, respectively 75 and 60 miles west of Paris. From there they drove along the road leading to Chartres from the north-west and south, pushing foarward armoured reconnaissance columns. German, defence formations engaged the enemy in bitter fighting, particularly north of Chartres, and destroyed many American tanks. Fighting is now in full swing there or a broad front.” NO ALLIED COMMENT \ < Rec. 10.55 a.m.) London, Aug. 16. I SHAEF made no comment on to-day’s j German communique stating that heavy | fighting is in progress in the Chartres Dreux area. 40 miles west of Paris. OPENLY ENTHUSIASTIC MILITARY AUTHORITIES AT WASHINGTON SITUATION IN N.W. FRANCE Washington, Aug. 15 Military authorities at Washingtor are openly enthusiastic regarding th« situation in north-western France. It is pointed out that although the southern landings are important, northern u- central France would be the scene of the decisive action which might come soon. Officials declared that the Germans had drawn much of their strength from the south to bolster the forces in the north. For that reason the Allies may be able to move up from the ! Mediterranean against weaker resistj ance and join the forces in the north, i enabling the whole Allied effort to swing north-eastward like a gate hingI ed along the Seine River to the west lof I’aris. One authority expressed the opinion that this sweep might be the final stage of the war in Europe. ARMY COMMANDERS i General Bradley’s appointment as | Commander of the Twelfth Army I Group in no way affects General Montj gomery’s positions as overall comman- ! der of all the Allied ground forces in | France under General Eisenhower, j General Montgomery still commands j the Twenty-first Army within which is the Twelfth Army Group, meaning that . General Montgomery is over General j Bradley but both are under General Eisenhower as Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The Twenty-first Army Group consists of all the British and Canadian forces and the Polish Armoured Division. The Twelfth Army Group consists of Americans and the French Armoured Division. The Senate Military Committee unanimously approved of the promotion of George S. Patton to the permanent rank of major-general. General Patton j at present holds the temporary rank of 1 Lieut.-General. Senate had deferred the confirmation because of the soldiet - < slapping incident.