MORE PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25023, 13 October 1944, Page 5

MORE PROGRESS

BEACHHEAD ON SCHELDT CANADIANS REINFORCED STIFFENING RESISTANCE (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 12 Canadian and United Kingdom troops in the Scheldt beachhead behind the German lines have been reinforced by more men and heavier armament, but stiffening German resistance has met their attacks. A correspondent says that Ontario infantry, who were the first Canadians ashore on Monday morning, yesterday made more headway. On the other side of the pocket, the Canadians over the Leopold Canal held firm throughout yesterday. R.A.F. Typhoons, seizing the first good weather for several days, took a hand yesterday in the fighting. They dropped bombs and firod rockets into German troops and transport in the middle of the Scheldt pocket, and sank a small German coaster in the estuary. Lancasters yesterday afternoon attacked gun emplacements on Walcheren Island and on the mainland opposite Flushing. They also bombed the Walcheren dyke to let in the sea from the east. Reconnaissance showed that delayed action bombs severely damaged the dyke. Troops from the Scheldt beachhead, which is swelling out in an arc from the estuary, have gained several more miles, says Renter's correspondent, but vicious street fighting is still going on at Hoofdplaat, which is now behind the lines. • The Associated Press correspondent says the beachhead is now 6000 yds or 7000 yds across and 4000 yds or 5000 yds deep. More troops have landed. A ferry service is running day and night along the coast, taking supplies and equipment right under the heavy coastal guns, which can fire on the beachhead and ferry route from positions on South Beveland and Walcheren Island. There is a possibility that some of, the Germans in the pocket may have begun to escape across to Walcheren and South Beveland, says another correspondent. A number of barges were seen at' Breskens, apparently intended for some such purpose. The Canadians pushing along the causeway toward South Beveland are now one and a-half miles past Woendsdrecht, and are meeting moderate resistance. ,