AMERICAN THRUST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25564, 17 June 1944, Page 5

AMERICAN THRUST

FURTHER PROGRESS DRIVE TOWARDS LA HAVE PENINSULA THREATENED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 16. American troops under Lieutenant-general 0. N. Bradley have advanced a further one mile and a-half across the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula and are iiow only six miles from la Haye du Puits, on the road and railway supplying the German forces in the Cherbourg area. The American forces are meeting stiffening resistance, and fresh enemy reinforcements have been thrown into the battle. To-day’s Allied communique, reporting that no big changes occurred on any sectors yesterday, states that all attempts by the enemy to regain the initiative were frustrated, and all counterattacks were repulsed. The Allies, according to Allied headquarters, are advancing west of Cfarentan, and are now north-west of Baupte. A German report goes further, saying that they have reached Pretot, which is four miles ' and a-half from la Haye, the capture of which would finally seal the peninsula. - _ The momentum of the Allied drive towards Caen from the north-west has slowed down in the last 12 hours owing to stiffening German resistance, says Reuter’s correspondent with the British forces near Caen. “ Our armoured units have fallen back to a commanding ridge, but not before inflicting many casualties on the enemy. Nine Tiger tanks were knocked out in a few hours in a pitched battle.” * The armoured battles in the Tilly-Caen area were slightly less severe yesterday, according to a correspondent, who says it is reasonable to suppose that both sides have withdrawn their armour for regrouping, leaving only infantry to continue the engagement.