HITTING BACK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25736, 6 January 1945, Page 5

HITTING BACK

SEVENTH ARMY FORCES

ENEMY THREAT STILL SERIOUS

LONDON, Jan. 4. • The Seventh Army forces/are hitting back against the Germans in the Bitche area, and German pressure has been weakened by heavy losses, but there are no indications that the enemy has committed his known reserves. General Patch’s withdrawal from the Wissembourg Gap has taken the Seventh Army forces back over the Lauter River. They have abandoned all .the area they held in Germany. The Seventh Army is now established ajt some points as far south as the Maginot forts. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says Ihe German attack on this front has slackened somewhat, but the enemy presents a serious threat along the 70-mile front from Saareguemines to the Rhine. The German News Agency says General Patch is counter-attacking with six divisions from well-prepared positions around Roerbach and has forced the Germans temporarily on the defensive. A violent artillery duel was progressing early to-day north of Basle, where the Germans brought their heaviest guns into action against; Mulhouse,

states the Associated Press correspondent at Basle. The battle extended from the Swiss frontier towards Mulhouse and increased in; intensity. German troops at midnight last night attempted to cross the Rhine into France not far from the Swiss frontier, but were thrown back by fierce fire from French guns at Huningen, from which the Germans retreated a month ago. The weather has deteriorated on the northern flank of the German salient, where the American First Army is attacking on a six-mile front. Snowstorms • have' limited visibility to 100 yaids, but a First Army staff officer is quoted by Reuter’s correspondent as saying: “ Our attack is going exceedingly well.” The Americans beat off several counter-attacks before dawn to-day. and a* daylight the offensive went ahead with renewed fury. One small town is already captured and five others reached. Anti-tank fire is providing the’ main opposition, with the weather shielding the Germans’ positions until the range is point-blank, thus making armoured progress very difficult. The German forward lines and outposts have been over-run, but the Allies have not yet made contact with the main panzer strength. The Americans encountered thicklymined areas even in the forests and the most rugged countryside, says the Associated Press correspondent. The Germans have evidently thrown infantry elements out to the front, preferring to let them take the first brunt of the American attack, saving the majo:ity of their armour for the clash with the American tanks wherever penetration develops.