READY TO ADVANCE OVER MAAS

Southland Times, Issue 25514, 7 November 1944, Page 5

READY TO ADVANCE OVER MAAS

ALLIES HOLD LINE ON SOUTH BANK SUICIDE SQUADS ON WALCHEREN (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, November 6. Field-Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery’s forces are now drawn up on the south bank of the Maas river from Hertogenbosch to the sea. Patrols have already probed the immediate area north of the river barrier and the whole of the Allied forces will soon strike north and east. Aircraft of the 2nd Tactical Air Force are giving the retreating Germans no peace. Mosquitoes are attacking any concentrations of troops and yesterday destroyed several troop trains, barges and bridges behind the enemy lines. The scattered remnants of the German 15th Army south of the-Maas have been herded into two small pockets and unless they swim the river they have no hope of escape. The area of these enemy-held pockets is. shrink- ’ ing hourly as continual attacks by the Allies annihilate or capture each German group engaged. On Walcheren Island, the Germans declared Arnemuiden to be an open town because of the hospitals it contained and the Allies have assumed control. One correspondent on the island says that only a few German suicide parties remain. Three-quarters of the island is submerged since the Germans opened the dykes holding back the sea and reconnaissance pilots report that only a few roofs and windmills with sails still turning are visible from the air.