BREAK-THROUGH POSSIBLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 5

BREAK-THROUGH POSSIBLE

AMERICANS 13 MILES IN GERMANY REINFORCEMENTS RUSHING UP DEFENCES PIERCED AT OTHER POINTS By. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 17, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 17 Troops of the United States First Army have completely penetrated the Siegfried Line and taken up positions on the Other side of it, says the British official wireless. According to correspondents at Supreme Headquarters this is not regarded as a break-through, but it may develop into one. The line was breached 24 hours after the breaking of the first line of defences. Today's communique from Supreme Headquarters describes the penetrations as strong. The breach was made by troops who crossed the frontier south of Aachen and advanced to the east of that city. Although they penetrated right through these deep defences and out the other side, it will be necessary to widen and strengthen the breach before a break-through in strength can be made. This part of the West Wall is known to be one of its strongest buttresses. The Germans may have sufficient reserves to make a counteroffensive with the object of sealing off the spearheads which have broken through. ' This deep penetration has brought the Allied troops to a point 13 miles inside Germany and only 28 miles from Cologne. Correspondents say that large reinforcements are being rushed forward toward the Reich. Other American forces have penetrated the line at three new points—one south of Aachen and two further south close to the German town of Prum. These penetrations are narrow and the Americans are meeting very heavy German resistance, but they are gradually forcing their way through. At Aachen itself American patrols reached the centre of the town before they were withdrawn to the outskirts. A statement from Supreme Headquarters says: "The First Army north of Luxemburg has made a narrow penetration of the Siegfried Line to Brandscheid against fairly heavy resistance. South of Aachen it has entered the Roetgen Forest. Fairly strong forces have penetrated the Siegfried Line in the Aachen region against heavy opposition. Another penetration has been made south-east of the town. "The Americans east of Aachen have pushed on another two miles beyond Stolberg and are now about 13 miles into Germany. Allied patrols have entered Aachen and fighting is reported on the outskirts. An American advance north of Aachen across the Meuse east of Maastricht has created another threat to the Siegfried Line."