ENEMY REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1944, Page 3

ENEMY REPORTS

ALLEGED ATTEMPT BY ALLIES TO LAND IN CALAIS AREA. MR CHURCHILL'S WORDS RECALLED. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.). LONDON, June 7. The German news agency quoted a Bodin military spokesman as saying that the Battle of Normandy began early today. Massed formations of German operational reserves, assembled overnight, were now attacking the landing area, Caen and Bayeux wk) terrific ferocity. The German Jlign Command waited during the first day to see how the enemy plan would materialise, but had now given its orders.

The news agency said the enemy bridgehead, extending on either side of the Ornc River, was about 20 miles wide and at some points about six miles deep. Today’s German High Command communique states: “Enemy landing operations between Le Havre and Cherbourg yesterday were supported by strong naval forces all day. Numerous airborne formations- wnich descended in the rear of our coastal defences had the mission of helping the landing and preventing the Germans bringing up reserves. Most of the aiiborne troops have been wiped out. Large losses also were inflicted by anti-aircraft defences during the descent of the airborne troops. The enemy at several points succeeded in gaining' a foothold, but most of his bridgeheads have been smashed up by coun-ter-attacks. Heavy fighting against the major enemy forces flared up on cither side of the mouth of the Ornc River and also north of Carentan, where the enemy, who suffered heavy losses, succeeded in holding bridgeheads.” The German news agency stated that the Allies, at daylight today, made a fresh attack across the Straits of Dover, in the Fas de Calais region, to land troops on the coast from amphibious landing craft. German long-range naval guns, according to an official Berlin spokesman, shelled the enemy ships. The result of the lire could not be observed, as the enemy put up a smokescreen. Enemy vessels approached the Straits of Dover from the north. The Allies yesterday attempted to get across the Channel in daylight at its narrowest point, where it is about 25 miles in width. The Berlin radio gives another version. It says: “Very heavy long-range naval guns in the Pas de Calais area went into action at 10.30 a.m. today against enemy ships which approached from the north. The .enemy immediately used artificial smoke screens and th n effect of the firing thcicfoic could not bo observed. This is the second time the enemy has made a mass attempt to bring ships to the invasion theatre through the Straits.” Reuter’s correspondent at S.H.A.E.F., commenting on these German reports, recalls Mr Churchill’s words in the House of Commons, a few weeks ago, when he said there would be many feints and stratagems. The correspondent points out that the enemy story does not indicate that an actual landing occurred and only referred to an “attempt.” The Exchange Telegraph Agency reports that for nearly two hours this morning, German big guns on the French coast fired across the Straits of Dover. The shelling was heavier than yesterday. Salvos of shells burst in the Dover area and explosions vibrated along the coast for many miles.

NEW ZEALAND FIGHTERS IN FIRST PATROL OVER INVASION FLEET. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON, June 6. The honour of being in the first fighter wing to patrol over the invasion fleet this morning is hold by a New Zealand Spitfire squadron. With Belgian and Natal squadrons, the New Zealanders look off at 5.20 a.m., and were over the fleet fronj 6.10 a.m. to 7 a.m., meeting no fighter opposition or flak. Later in the day, on their third patrol, the squadron shot down two Junkers 88s, while the Belgians shot down two and damaged three, they being the first squadrons to shoot down any enemy aircraft today. In the first patrol were Flight Lieutenants L. Blacic, Levin, Flying Officers J. F. Yeatman, Wellington, D. Roberts, New Plymouth, Pilot Officers F. Transome, Taihape, T. Kearins, Wairarapa, and H. Patterson, Gisborne.

On the last patrol of the day in the late evening, the New Zealanders found the beaches deserted. “There was a long row of landing craft along the beach like so many toys which children have played with and then left forgotten,” said one pilot, “but round Caen we saw heavy fighting between tanks, while warships were heavily bombarding Le Havre. Numbers of abandoned gliders were also visible, but no more enemy aircraft were engaged, though we saw some in the distance.”

It was a long and tiring day for the squadron, but they were well pleased with the results, particularly observing the remarkable quickness with which the Allies landed.

> ALLIED STRATEGY PRAISED BY NEW YORK PAPER. ' PRESENT LANDINGS FIRST OF SERIES. (By Telegraph—‘Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, June'7. The “New York Times” states: "The Allied strategy has been brilliant in its first phases. Instead of striking, at the high cliffs opposite Dover, where the Germans expected the attack, General Eisenhower has struck at the ■ low-ly-ing, sandy beaches of Normandy, to us'e the entire Normandy Peninsula as a base for a drive along the Seine to Parjs. However, the landings are merely the first of a series expected to crash other Continental beaches to the north and south.”

HITLER TAKING OYER COMMAND OF ANTI-INVASION OPERATIONS. ACCORDING TO UNDERGROUND REPORTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 6. Hitler is taking personal command of all the anti-invasion operations, according to news reaching London from underground sources, says Reuter’s correspondent. He is surrounded by a brilliant staff, comprising four marshals, including von Rundstedt, the titular commander-in-chief, and Rommel. Hitler is believed to have moved his headquarters to somewhere in northern France, to be nearer the scene of operations. Under Rundstedt are co-ordinated the navy, army and air force headquarters under the respective command of Admiral Raeder, FieldMarshal Sperle, and Rundstedt himself. Rundstedt has two army groups, of which the northern group is commandedl by Rommel, and the southern front, comprising the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean area, by Field-Marshal von Blaskowitz.