GERMAN ALLIES

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

GERMAN ALLIES

. ' ICE, FROST, AND SNOW ALLIED PROGRESS HELD UP LONDON, Jan. 2. Ice, frost, and snow have come to aid von Rundstedt’s forces defending the flanks of the Ardennes salient, says Reuter’s correspondent on the western front. Allied progress, while still being maintained in some sectors, is being held up at others by treacherous roads and lack of shelter in addition to stubborn enemy resistance. General Patton’s northward thrust ' gained a further two miles ii]p to yesterday morning, making a total of eight miles .since the commencement of the attack. Third Army forces recaptured Moircy and other towns two to six /miles east of Bastogne. There are strong indications that von' Rundstedt is withdrawing his armour from the tip of the Ardennes salient towards the centre. The Allies have lost contact with the German armoured division which previously was defending the tip of the salient. All the movements now indicate that the Germans are rapidly readjusting their positions, possibly for a renewed assault. Reuter’s correspondent at Supreme Headquarters says that east of Moircy the Americans advanced 'a. mile to take Hubertmont, six miles west of Bastogne. . and also Chenogne, which fell to the Americans after they had crushed heavy counter-attacks. The Germans are punching and jab-, bing all along the southern side of the salient to keep the Americans from maintaining the initiative and to prevent a concerted northward push. The American drive northward from Bastogne is suffering delays owing to German counter-attacks in the neighbourhood of Longchamps, three miles north-west of Bastogne, and on' 1 the Belgium-Luxemburg border between Harlingen and Villers-le-Bonneau. The Germans di4 not use tanks in * support of 200 infantry counter-attack-ing two miles south-west of Grandemen il on the northern .flank of the •German salient. The Allies repulsed the counter-attack after two hours’ fighting. A second and smaller German thrust in the same area was also beaten back. < The Germans last night ferried two guns across the Maas to the east of Geertruidenburg to shell Allied positions. Enemy patrols crossed at the same time. Our gunners engaged the enemy, who withdrew his guns and patrols. The Luftwaffe was active again today, strafing and bombing the front lines, especially along the Roer River north of the salient. Luxemburg radio stated the Americans had penetrated into Wiltz.