SECURE HOLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25560, 13 June 1944, Page 5

SECURE HOLD

ARMIES IN FRANCE

SOBER SATISFACTION FALL OF CARENTAN (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) . LONDON, June 12. It is learned at Supreme Headquarters that the progress of the Allied armies in Normandy continues to he regarded with sober satisfaction. The position is hourly becoming more secure, and there is no reason to fear for the future. The weather is more favourable, and thd landing of men, supplies, and equipment is being speeded up. The fighting at Tilly-sur-Seulles has increased in severity, and at Lison the advance is encouraging. The Americans have driven deeper towards Saint Lo, registering the biggest gain south-east and south of Lison. At Carentan, at the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula, the Allied forces were last reported to have almost completely encircled the town. The Germans this morning announced that Carentan, had been evacuated. This has not been confirmed by Allied headquarters, but if it is true it is an important reverse for the enemy, as it means that one of the two rail and road escape routes from the peninsula has been cut. To-day’s communique from Allied headquarters says that the American advance east of the Vire River has continued into the forest of de Cerisy, south-west of Bayeux, between Bayeux and Saint Lo. Enemy mobile batteries on'the Cherbourg Peninsula have been under heavy fire from Allied warships, and some further progress has been made west of the inundated valley of the Merderet River. Intense fighting against German armour continues in the Tilly-sur-Seulles area. Air operations were curtailed sharply after mid-day yesterday, the communique says, when cloud and rain obscured much of the battle area. Our fighters, after escorting heavy day bombers, joined fighter-bombers and rocket-firing fighters in attacking oil tanks, rail centres, and road and rail traffic, including several hundred railroad cars, as well as tanks and armoured vehicles. Twenty-four planes, including three heavy bombers, are missing from all these operations. Intruder planes operated successfully over enemy airfields in France and Holland.

The main weight of the Allied attack has now shifted to the immediate vicinity of Saint Lo, says the German radio. Four Allied formations are operating east of the Ome River, where they have established hedgehog positions. .. .

A Berlin military spokesman reports that strong Allied paratroop formations were dropped last night behind the German lines south of Caen. The British troops north and north-west of Caen have also received tank reinforcements. The spokesman added that the Allies were pushing on towards Saint Lo.