FORT BRIANT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25659, 6 October 1944, Page 5

FORT BRIANT

LARGE PART OCCUPIED BURNING OUT OF GERMANS LONDON, Oct. 4. Infantry and tanks have occupied a large part of Fort Briant, and are now trying to burn the Germans out of the main fortifications by pouring in crude oil, which is 1 then set on fire, says the Associated Press correspondent with the American Third Army. The Americans are meeting only small-arms opposition from the Germans, who have gone to ground in numerous underground passages. Under a constant hail of bullets and shells from an invisible enemy, American. infantry on the exposed sides and summit of Fort Briant is still fighting to eject the Germans from massive underground fortifications, says Reuter’s correspondent with the\ American Third Army. The Germans came out of the tunnels in darkness last night and opened up at point-blank range with machine guns, but the Americans, supported by some tanks, held their ground on top of the fori, and the Germans'at. sunrise withdrew into their holes. , . , The Americans to-day captured several pillboxes and casements. Infantry crawled up and tossed grenades through the slit windows, or pushed in •explosive charges. The Americans lying in shell holes can hear the Germans talking in underground positions beneath them.