VOSGES PASSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 5

VOSGES PASSES

FBENCH CLOSING IN

FIGHTING SKILFUL BATTLE (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16 Reuter's correspondent at Supreme Headquarters says t}iat French forces are steadily closing in on the Vosges passes. They are one mile from Raon d'Etape, at the entrance to the Schirmeck Pass; one and a-half miles from St. Die, at the entrance of the St. Marie Pass; four miles from Gerardmer, at the entrance to the Schlucht Pass ; and in the vicinity of Le Thillot, at the entrance to the Bussang Pass.

A correspondent who watched the French troops in action says they are fighting an extremely skilful battle. They are up against determined resistance from well-prepared positions. Forests and fields are thickly mined, there is heavy mud, and there has been snow, sleet and rain all the time. The French artillery is accux-ate and is used to prepare the way for the tanks, which, in spite of the seas of mud, have been successful in every action. The infantry is splendid. Units of the French Forces of the Interior, incorporated in the French Army, are covering themselves with glory in this new sort of fighting. Moroccan, Algerian and Senegalese troops are also playing a big part, but they suffer badly from the cold at night.