SERIOUS BID

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25083, 22 December 1944, Page 5

SERIOUS BID

POWEJU'TL ENEMY ! VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS | (Reed. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21 | The groat Gorman counter-offen-j sivo is still mounting in intensity, j says the Xew York Times corresponj dent at Supreme Headquarters, I Drew Middleton. A grave situation has been accentuated by the inability of the fog-bound Allied air forces to aid General Hodge's battered divisions. The offensive lias lost its local character, adds the correspondent, ft now affects the security of more than one army and the whole character of the war in the West. Counter-measures arc being taken, but the reply to such a large blow must take time to prepare. Von Rundstedt has thrown in everything—more flying bombs daily than landed on London in any day last summer, new secret weapons and the cream of his panzer and Yolks Grenadier divisions. Grim days lie ahead. Renter's correspondent at Supreme Headquarters stated earlier: "There is no news yet that the impetus of von Rundstedt's offe, ive lias been halted. The position is not grave and does not affect the course of the war, but will probably delay its end. Von Rundstedt's offensive may yet gain considerably more ground, but may in the end commit military hara-kiri by creating a self-made Falaise Gap. "The Allied commanders are taking every, step to meet the situation and military quarters are confident. Bad weather is depriving the Allies of their valuable air arm. • ■The object of the offensive is stated to he to penetrate the American lines, draw off the strength of the armies which are poised to attack the Roer River and play for time. It looks as if the German High Command has had a degree of temporary success." VICIOUS FIGHTING SCATTERED AMERICANS FOOD SUPPLY DIFFICULTY LONDON, Dec. 20 The American, facing von Rundstedt's assault, who are fighting defensively for the first time, seem to have reached an actual state of viciousness. They are 110 longer fighting in scientific warfare. They are fighting the type of battle where caution is thrown to the winds. Each man has suddenly felt that he personally must strike back with everything he has got in order to halt th colossus in his path. Large numbers of Americans are fighting in small units in small towns along the Belgian-German border. They have fairly adequate supplies of everything hut food. Large numbers of American wounded are receiving only lo;ra! attention and ambulance services j arc becoming more and more difficult. Germans wearing civilian clothes and Allied soldiers' uniforms are reported to be dropping by'parachute. Englishspeakiim Germans are also reported to be manning Sherman tanks and calling «*to Americans to approach them, after which they open fire. EXACTING VENGEANCE j RETURNING NAZI TROOPS (Reed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21 Tho Dailv Express correspondent in Belgium says Belgian villagers waiting in localities which the Germans are about to overrun do not remove their Allied flags until the enemy is almost in the place. Many people are busy reburying their gold and other possessions which earlier they had hidden from the enemy. When towns are overrun the police are forced bv the Germans to unlock the gaols and release people who were being held as collaborators. The Germans, particularly the panzer units, are taking all possible vengeance against anyone who helped the Americans. This "is not deterring members <>f the Belgian resistance movements. Many of these hard-fighting men are helping to round up German paratroops and guarding vital points. There i.s no doubt, adds the correspondent. that Belgians and Luxemburgers again are going to suffer, greatly before the battle is concluded. I GERMAN VERSION 10.000 PRISONERS CLAIMED (Heed p.m.) LONDON, Dee. 20 The German communique today states: "In the area of our new offensive we have cleared the enemy from decisive points and pressed farther forward Isolated enemy groups were annihilated, more than 10,000 prisoners taken, and 200 tanks and 144 planes dest roved." , .... Tho German news agency's military commentator Sertorius said tonight that Allied resistance was increasing, but was still piecemeal and urieo-ordinatcd. He added* "We are justified in speaking of continued favourable progress. The German attack has not reached its climax. More heavy fighting is expected. The first phase of the offensive will be followed by other momentous operations." CIVIL DEFENCE WORKERS (Reed. 0.10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21 British civil defence workers who are going overseas at General Eisenhower s request, were inspected yesterday by Sir William Brown, of the Ministry of Home Security. All are volunteers and most have been in civil defence work in Britain since the beginning of the war.