PRESSURE ON GERMANS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22457, 19 September 1944, Page 3

PRESSURE ON GERMANS

ALLIED ARMIES ADVANCING BITTER RESISTANCE BY ENEMY (Received Sept. 19, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18 From the flat lowlands of Holland to the rugged Alpine country on the French-Italian border the Allied forces are putting pressure on ; the German defenders of the Reich, who are showing bitter resistance for large stretches of their west wall, says the Supreme Command. Everywhere from Aachen to the Belfort Gap and beyond the Allied invaders of Germany are meeting strong resistance from the Wehrmacht. The Germans’ strong resistance at Lure against the United States Seventh Army is regarded as part of the defence of the Belfort Gap by controlling the flank. The Germans in the Alps regions of Lanslebourg are fighting for control of the roads along and through the Alps, which are confining the fighting to a narrow sector. Reuter’s correspondent with the Third Army says that with the brfeak in the bad weather the Allied pressure on the fortress town of Metz is increasing. Today considerable numbers of S.S. troops among the garrison are putting up fanatical resistance. Strong units of Third Army armour and infantry are across the Moselle in strength betwwn Pontamousson and Charmes. The river is thus no longer a major obstacle on this part of the front. On the extreme north of General Patton’s line units are operating at the Luxembourg-German border in the Jtemich area. Reuter’s correspondent with the First Army says that the Americans crossed the German frontier east of Simpelveld. The German news agency says that fierce fighting is going on at Busbach and Zweifall, six and eight miles east and south-east respectively of Aachen. Both localities have changed hands several times. Penetration of Holland An American broadcast from Belgium stated that the second British Army penetrated seven miles into Holland from the Escaut Canal bridgehead. Reuter’s correspondent with the American First Army on the DutchGerman frontier says that German troops have been deserting in hundreds on the frontier. Their officers have distributed thousands of leaflets urging the men to continue to fight.