DEVASTATING AIR ASSAULT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25048, 11 November 1944, Page 7

DEVASTATING AIR ASSAULT

■ * BOMBS RAINED AHEAD OF TROOPS By lelegraiih Pressi Association—Copyright (Received November 10, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 10 Behind a devastating air assault the American Third Army's drive toward the frontier of Germany i s developing rapidly. General Pattern s tanks are now in action and the advance has penetrated 17 miles beyond the Moselle River. Units of the Fourth Armoured Division last night were reported to have reached the outskirts of Delme, on the mam road from Metz to Strasbourg. So far there have been no reports of any serious German counterattacks. Reuter's correspondent says the attack has extended to points along a 50-mile front north and south of Metz. Among the small towns taken is Konigsmarken, about eight miles from the German frontier. Twenty-four towns and villages have been freed in the first two days of the operation. They include Cheminot, Aulnois, MaiHy> Fresnes, Malaucourt, Jalaucourt, Mancourt and Bezang, in w arc 13 to 16 miles north-east and east of Nancy. The attack is going forward in very bad weather. The Americans are advancing in rain, sleet and snow. The ground is lodden and the ditches are full of water. The majority of the German troops in the area are boys in their teens, who have thoroughly absorbed the Nazi doctrine, and who fight while a bullet or grenade is left, says Reuter's correspondent. The Americans are taking towns house by house. When one house has been cleared they blow holes in the walls and fight through into the next house. More than 2000 American aircraft yesterday dropped 3000 tons of bombs on German targets ahead of the ground troops. ■ Kailyards at Saarbrucken and targets around Metz were bombed by more than 1300 Fortresses and Liberators, escorted by about 500 Mustangs. At the same time 200 Mustangs and Thunderbolts attacked - German transport near Saarbrucken and Stuttgart and 50 other Mustangs roamed over the battle area attacking every German target they could find. Fourteen of the American bombers and 19 fighters are missing, but some are believed to have landed on friendly soil.