LOWER VOSGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25734, 4 January 1945, Page 5

LOWER VOSGES

NEW GERMAN BLOWS

AMERICANS HOLD ATTACKS

THIRD ARMY GAINS GROUND

(United Press Association) (Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Rec. l a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 3. Latest reports from the western front indicate that the new German attacks against the American Seventh Army in the Saar Valley and the Lower Vosges are being held. The main enemy penetration is in the Lower Vosges southeast of Bitche, where German armour drove a narrow wedge into the American lines. General Patch’s men are now counterattacking vigorously.

One correspondent, however, points out that, although the ':;;new German thrusts are on a large scale, the main assault has probably not yet developed. At present the enemy appears to be probing the American lines looking for weak points at which to exploit a break-through.

General Patton’s Third, Army, driving north against the southern flank of von Rundstedt’s Ardennes salient, has taken fo.ur more villages between Bastogne and St. Hubert, while American patrols have pushed into St. Hubert itself. The

American advance reached a point four miles beyond Bastogne, but was halted by stubborn enemy resistance. Although the Bastogne corridor is ( firmly held and has been widened, the enemy is fiercely contesting every yard of ground and is using tanks with unprecedented recklessness. The Americans are taking a heavy toll of this armour.

Reconnaissance has revealed a considerable movement of enemy armour away from the western tip of the German salient and it seems probable that von Rundstedt is withdrawing some of his armour for use against the Bastogne corridor.