STOP PRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 6

STOP PRESS

FIRST ARMY’S OFFENSIVE LONDON, Jan. 4.—The German ne agency commentator, Capl. Sertorius, describes the First Army’s offensive as bearing signs of more detailed preparations than Gen. Eisenhower’s somewhat improvised measures hitherto. He added that in addition to the First Army, armoured formations of the Ninth Army and British tank units from Field Marshal Montgomery's Army Group were thrown into the battle between Stavelot and Marche. The German news agency admits that the First Army gained some ground towards Houffalize after making two penetrations in the main German line. The British United Press correspondent with the Third Army says Gen. Patton has lost the initiative from Hubert almost to Wiltz, where the Germans continue strong attacks. A German infantry regiment supported by 50 tanks, struck against the 101st Airborne Division yesterday. The Americans allowed the tanks to pac-s through their lines, then threw them back with close-rarfge fire. Another 50 tanks attacked the Airborne Division to-day. Fighting is still going on but the situation is reported to be in hand,. POISED FOR WINTER .OFFENSIVE LONDON, Jan. 4.—After a visit to the Warsaw front the United States Moscow correspondent reports thai several mighty Russian and Polish armies are poised at Praga on the icecovered Vistula River for a decisive winter (Offensive. NO CRICKET AT CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH, This Day —Then was no play in the representative cricket match between Wellington anc Canterbury up till 3 o’clock &8 the re - suit of heavy rain overnight and stil' continuing.