ALLIED TRAP

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 225, 20 June 1944, Page 5

ALLIED TRAP

Powerful Wedge On Peninsula

COMING BID FOR CHERBOURG

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.>

(Received June 19, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. “Allied troops cut off the Cherbourg Peninsula from the rest of Normandy by reaching the west coast near Barneville,” said a communique from the Supreme Headquarters last night. In the centre a steady advance east of the Vire River brought us to within six miles of St. Lo.”

The 9th United States Division, after reaching the west coast, captured Barneville and nearby Cape Carteret at about noon yesterday. The Germans at Barneville were taken by surprise and resisted only weakly, says a British United Press correspondent with the Americans. One German officer surrendered and asked permission to talk ot his men in the outskirts of the town, after which he returned with another 80 prisoners. The people of Barneville are now feting the Americans with wine and cognac. It is estimated that 25,000 Germans are trapped on the Cherbourg Peninsula. Fighter-bomber pilots who swept over .the peninsula yesterday observed a general southward movement by German troops. It is possible the Americans will regroup for a further major move. The Americans are now broadening their wedge across the peninsula. It is now nowhere less than four miles wide. The Germans round Cherbourg have command of heavy and elaborate fortifications, so much stiff fighting is ahead.

The situation at Quineville is unchanged, with the enemy still shelling this small port and denying us the use of it. Reverse conditions apply at Montebourg, which the enemy still retains, though he cannot make much use of it because of the, nearness of our forces.

There is very little change in the position round Carentan. Rommel’s main armour is still comniitted to battle on the central sector, where the British have madejimited gains near Tilly and repulsed sharp German counterat'neks.

A correspondent says the German, tank strength must be steadily falling olf. We are picking off their Tigers, Panthers and Mark IV specials all over the place one and two at a time. We are having tank losses, too. but ours are being made up from the reserve. The greatest enemy of our airmen is still not the Luftwaffe but the weather. It cut down activities yesterday afternoon and last night, but warplanes still ranged widely over and beyond the battle area. The Secretary of War, Sir. James Grigg, is back home from a flying visit to Normandy, where he spent some hours with General Montgomery.