POLISH TROOPS ADVANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22459, 21 September 1944, Page 5

POLISH TROOPS ADVANCE

FIGHTING IN WEST HOLLAND GERMAN EFFORT SLACKENING (Received Sept. 21, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20 Polish troops drove further into Holland to-day and elements are now in Zaamstag, says Reuter’s correspondent. The Germans are withdrawing in the lace of the Polish onslaught across the Hulst Canal, over which they have two bridges. The Poles are reported to have captured Hulst and Axel. This is the first sign for more than a week that German resistance is slackening in- tne Scheldt area. •

The German news agency says the fighting in South Holland is constantly increasing to the extent that both sides are bringing up new reinforcements. They are viewing this as a decisive operation. It is estimated that three Allied Airborne Divisions have landed. A British United Press correspondent with the United States Third Army said two spearheads of American and French infantry and armour continued their stubborn push north-eastward from the lower Moselle. One spearhead near the Baccarat area was thrusting towards the Saar against heavy opposition. The second was north-east from Nancy, in the general area of Dieuze. Panzer Grenadiers opposing borh thrusts included veterans from Italy and Africa. They were using tanks, mines and roadblocks and battling steadily backwards through thick wood. Fourteen German tanks were destroyed in the Dieuze area yesterday.

Fighting in the Metz area is still stiff, with the Americans gaining. French units are fighting with the Americans on the Moselle front for the first time.

In the South Allied troops are 12 to 15 miles from Belfort.

According to official figures issued to-day a grand total of 457,346 German prisoners has been taken by General Eisenhower’s five armies—the British Second Army, the Canadian First Army and the United States First, Third and Seventh Armies—since the original landings in Normandy.