AMERICAN GAINS

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

AMERICAN GAINS

NAZI SOUTHERN FLANK HEAVY FALL OF SNOW ALLIES REINFORCING (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25 The Allied forces' push north of Jfersch against the southern flank of the German advance has gained two to four miles over a front of 25 miles, states the British United Press correspondent at Supreme Headquarters. The American positions at Stavelot, which separates the two German thrusts to the west, are holding against numerous enemy counterattacks, although more German paratroops were dropped in the Stavelot area.on Friday night, The Exchange Telegraph correspondent says that heavy snow in the Bestogne area has favoured the Allies, because it has forced the Germans to keep their armoured vehicles to the toads. Fighting at Crossroads , The Allied forces have made other advances, five miles north-west, of Diekirch and midway between Diekirch and Echternach. Heavy fighting is going on at a crossroads eight miles west of Diekirch. It was officially stated on Friday that the deepest German penetration was past Wiltz, continuing westward as far as Laroche, 14 miles north-west of Bastogne. The reinforcement of Allied troops continues and the Germans are finding themselves faced with stiffening resistance.- On Saturday the Americans still held Bastogne, but. south-east of the twn enemy armour Had reached Bosieres. Gfirman Version of Position The German news agency says the situation on the northern flank, where the Allies are numerically superior, was fcr 24 hours critical for the Germans, hut is now under control, ft adds that the Americans advancing on the southern Sink have been stopped after initial gains.

The German news agency earlier dramatically interrupted the broadcast of an- operational message from the Western Front to flash the news that Jon Rundstedt's "winter offensive" had been slowed by a flank attack by General Patton's Third Army. The news agency said:— "The main brunt of the fighting is more than ever on the two flanks. A particularly grim struggle has been Wil ?ed on the southern flank, where German spearheads, heading south-west, ? s<, e had to defend themselves against increasingly furious counter-attacks bv several American divisions. The America admittedly have succeeded in slow'"g down the German advance. Howthey have been unable to cut gj* the path of the German thrust M lor this reason tho Germans have ™>< ie moro headwav."

neutrality abandoned

1 POLICY OF LUXEMBURG I ®£ d - c - 3 <> P-m.) LONDON, Dec. 24 I The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg has I ? nounc<K \ that it is giving up its policy I .(! cil ' ra guaranteed in the Treaty P f Ivondon of 1897, and is "ready to | Mertake all obligations arising from lr » new situation." I .outer's diplomatic correspondent I ii' ls Luxemburg's decision probably is 1 e result of von Rundstedt's advance

losses on both sides

5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Doc. 21 |l losses have been heavy, says Lit l ll Telegraph correspondent. > 1 e tanks and assault guns jL; Kicked out in tho battles round tlio r^ ne Malnily.' Prisoners say Tti t'i'r n Cllsna 'ties were severe. a<ld«ti ' ' osses "'so are serious, Unit. correspondent. A number of itin ' of battalion strength, aro dm* i ? • Supplies to them are being ar °PPed from the air.

Mostly German gamble

J- ?-IO p.m.) ■ LONDON, Dec. 2f> Germ° , T s , c<nv radio states that the ™>gh Command has gambled on li '""wands of lives in a last bid i !lr j ' ern Front. It adds that Of Hot!' 1 Command is quite capable Germn 1C situation. Another "0 gamblo is doomed to failure.

SIEGE OF ST. NAZAIRE

' .TH o P'" 1 - 5 LONDON, Dec. 24 taw® Berlin radio suvs the German wet f? T . azfl ire pushed tTiilao Allied "siege lines for five ?. n a front of 15 miles.