Late War News IN FEW HOURS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 26 June 1944, Page 6

Late War News IN FEW HOURS

American Entry Into Cherbourg

ATTACK IN GREAT STRENGTH

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

(Received June 26, 1.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 25.. According to xVUifd headquarters it is now probably only a matter of hours before the Americans enter Cherbourg. General von Schlieben, commander of the German garrison, has ordered that anvone failing to fight to the last will be’sbot. The Germans are determinedly resisting all round the city, lire enemy is reported to be preparing for a street-by-street defence of the city. The Americans launched ,a heavy attack against'high ground near Octeville, the capture of which would be likely to speed up entry into the port itself. The American frontal attack on the centre ot the peninsula front is being made in great strength, with artillery support, American units are now within one mile of the sea east of Cherbourg and to the west there is an Allied cordon two miles from the outskirts of the city. The enemy south-east of Cherbourg is stubbornly defending Bois du Montder. in the west, the Allies have liberated the village of Vauville. two miles south of Beaumont, while in the north-east of the peninsula, patrols have penetrated to Pointe de Barfleur without encountering the enemy. On the beach, the weather has improved, with a light north-easterly wind making conditions more pleasant for unloading. As soon as Cherbourg is in Allied hands, a torrent of men and material will pour into France via that port, though the port may be in bad shape because of the Air Forces’ hammering of ft, said the Director of Naval Public Relations. who has just returned from the European theatre.