NINTH ARMY'S FEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 8

NINTH ARMY'S FEAT

EAST BANK HELDFOR SIX MILES RAPID ADVANCES ELSEWHERE THIRD ARMY TAKES ERFURT AND WEIMAR By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received April 13, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 13 Allied armoured columns have driven more deeply into the heart of Germany. Elements of the 2nd Armoured Division of the United States Ninth Army have achieved a crossing of the Elbe River at an undisclosed point, which, however, is reported to be under. 70 miles from Berlin. It is stated that a bridge has been thrown across the river. The 2nd Armoured Division crossed the Elbe near Magdeburg early yesterday morning, says the Associated Press correspondent. The Americans now hold a six-mile front along the east bank of the river. One First Army spearhead was last night reported close to Naumburg, about 25 miles south-west of Leipzig, after pushing along the south side of the Harz Mountains. Another column was eight miles north of Naumburg. Behind these spearheads other First Army forces are fighting in the Harz Mountains themselves. A later message says that First Army troops driving toward Halle and Leipzig are within 17 miles of both cities. A little further south, Third Army forces captured Erfurt after three hours' artillery and air bombardment and Weimar surrendered after an ultimatum. Other troops entered Jena, home of the Zeiss optical works. On the British front in the north, the 15th Scottish Division captured Celle, on the Aller, about 20 miles north-east of Hanover. Other troops have got across the river at two points downstream. The 51st Highland Division has pushed forward 15 miles in 24 hours south-west of Bremen. United Kingdom troops fighting with the Canadian First Army have broken into Arnhem after forcing the River Yssel. Canadian infantry in the north are 10 miles from Groningen. Polish tanks, according to one correspondent, are within 16 miles of Emden. A correspondent at the headquarters of General Bradley, Commander of United States Forces on the Western Front, says that up to noon yesterday gains of 50 miles had been made on both the Ninth and Third Army fronts since the offensive was stepped ud at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The 6th Armoured Division of the Third Army advanced 46 miles in 24 hours.