GERMAN THRUST CHECKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25085, 26 December 1944, Page 5

GERMAN THRUST CHECKED

AMERICAN PRESSURE ON FLANKS allied advance in south

toT. AIR ONSLAUGHT BATTERS ENEMY By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright, (Received December 25, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, December 25 The news from the Western Front is much brighter. Corresi.ntß a t Supreme Headquarters say it is better than at any P on jince von Rundstedt launched his offensive. The German punter-offensive has received a double check, from the air and Communique from Suprefne Headquarters this morning nfirms the impression gained from the reports of the past few f° . 0 f increasing pressure on both sides of the German salient, finable to push forward in the centre the Germans have brought more strength. The halt is not caused by any slackening of their Sort. They have made more heavy attacks, but these have been 'ifHrfre situation on the First Army front has taken a decided for the better, with the Allied forces in the north and south voting considerable pressure on the German flanks, says Reuter's correspondent at Supreme Headquarters. The German thrust to f. wC 3t has been stopped for the time being. A correspondent quoted by the 8.8.C. says the German dvance has not yet been held finally, but it has been canalised. * The German counter-attacks would appear to have been becked from the position as it was reported 36 hours ago and their spearheads have made no fresh advances. The Germans are meeting with increased American pressure on the southern flank. The Americans have advanced some miles in the centre of Luxemburg toward two places, one of which they have reached and halfoccupied* They are still pressing on with their advance elsewhere. On the northern flank the Germans have failed to exploit their advances further. Von Rundstedt has been forced to halt his advance to bring up forces to meet the resistance at places in his rear that are still held by Allied forces. The farthest limits of the German advance yet announced, »ays the British official wireless, are Malmedy, Marobe, St. Hubert, Libramont and Echteraach. The Germans therefore are about 15 miles from the French frontier on a broad front from east of Civet to Montmedy. Their salient is about 35 miles across and the same distance deep. Whether the Americans still hold any strong or connected positions within this area is not certain. In the greatest onslaught of the war Allied aircraft yesterday dropped 7000 tons of bombs on German positions on the Western Front. The total weight dropped on the battlefront and beyond was about 10,000 tons.