GOING WELL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 2

GOING WELL

FIRST ARMY ATTACK ENEMY FORWARD LINES OVERRUN VISIBILITyTiMITED BY SNOWSTORMS (Rec. 1.0 p.m.) London, Jan. 4. The weather has deteriorated on the northern flank of the German salient where the American First Army is attacking on a six-mile front. Snowstorms limited visibility to 100 yards but a First Army staff officer is quoted by Reuter’s correspondent as saying: attack is going exceedingly well.” The Americans beat off several counter-attacks before dawn to-day and at daylight the offensive went ahead with renewed fury. One small town already has been captured and five others reached. Anti-tank fire is providing the main opposition, with the weather shielding the Germans’ positions until the range is pointblank, thus making armoured progress very difficult. German forward lines and outposts have been overrun by the Allies, who have not yet contacted the main panzer strength. Americans encountered thicklymined areas even in forests and the most rugged countryside, says the correspondent of the Associated Press of Gt. Britain. The Germans have evidently thrown infantry elements out in front, preferring to let them take the first brunt of the American attack, saving the majority of their armour for a clash with American tanks wherever a penetration develops. ENEMY TAKEN OFF BALANCE Tanks and infantry swept over snow-covered hills in freezing weather at 8.36 a.m. yesterday to launch General Hodge’s surprise counteroffensive, says the British United Press correspondent with the First Army. No spectacular artillery or air barrage preceded the attack, which took the Germans off their balance. The first wave of Allied tanks and men smashed the forward defences but the Germans soon rallied, moving back slowly until their lines were stabilised. The Americans encountered for the first time Germans wearing white winter camouflage but despite this and minefields Allied battle casualties in the early stages were extremely light. The advance proceeded over rugged country which one staff officer described as “the roughest tank battlefield in Europe outside Switzerland.” The battle started in the bleakest and bitterest weather of winter. Skies were heavy and low, preventing direct support from divebombers.

A staff officer estimated that if the drive hit high gear within five days and closed the enemy escape route thousands of Germans might be trapped, but he added the Germans were past masters in escaping from pockets.