CHERBOURG PENINSULA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25563, 16 June 1944, Page 3

CHERBOURG PENINSULA

BATTLES AT CAEN FIERCE TANK CLASHES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. American troops in Normandy are making what is described as a “significant thrust” across the Cherbourg Peninsula, midway between Picauville and Carentan. They are advancing on a seven-mile front towards the last north-south railway running faown the peninsula. They still have to advance some miles to reach the railway, and the enemy, realising the'danger of the thrust, is reacting violently. Carentan is in Allied hands, and airborne troops have made Blight gains south and west of the town, after beating off German attempts to recapture it. The gains have been made in the Les Sablons-Baupte area. Heavy fighting continues around Montebourg. Latest reports ■tate that the Germans hold, the town, but American troops are pressing closely on three sides, and street fighting is taking place. Armoured battles are still raging in the vicinity of Caen and Tilly. The Allied thrust south to Caumont is being fiercely contested. Caumont is in our hands, but the enemy holds both Tilly and Villers-Bocage, six miles east of Caumont, where British forces are meeting the full weight of German armour. Rommel has thrown another panzer division into the battle between Caen and Tilly, and now has four engaged. To-day’s Allied communique states that Allied troops continue to carry the fight to the enemy on all parts of the front in Normandy. The development of the beach-head is continuing, and the unloading of troops and supplies is steadily increasing.