WEAKENED NAZI GRIP

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 5

WEAKENED NAZI GRIP

Struggle For Normandy SEQUELS TO CHERBOURG The fall of Cherbourg may bo considered the finale to the first phase of operations in Normandy. It adds a measure of permanence to operations which perforce had previously to be improvisations. Indeed, it would have been surprising if ( the Germans had not held out at Gheibourg with what may best be described as “key-point tenacity.” . Probably the most significant implication in the capture of Cherbourg is the very definite proof that the Germans are nolonger unbeatable. The Germans had all the odds in their favour. The Allies were forced to land on beaches defended by prepared positions over whidh German I forces had held manoeuvres Previously. Not content with that. Allied troops set about capturing one of the strongest fortress areas on the coast of northern France. Avoiding direct assault from the sea. the Allies wisely chose the back door. It involves more time and an operation on a grand scale, but history shows it is the only reliable approach. Doubtless the Japanese would have a .PP“®“ , method to Wellington and Auckland if they had been given the opportunity. J ins significant defeat of German military might augurs well for the operations made possible by the fall of Cherbourg. Allied use of tho port of Cherbourg involves more than a secure landing place in ’all weathers for all types of supplies. It gives the beach-head a main base, as distinct from stretches.of sand. lurthermore, this main base is sited at the far end of an ideal peninsula hedgehog tor defence by combined forces with command of the sea and the air. We thus have an area in the Cherbourg Peninsula which is secure against German attack we havo a castle, so to speak, from which to operate. . , ~ ~ It may have been just coincidence that the French devised their road communication system radiating from Cherbourg exactly as if they realized that subsequently the Allies would require to use the system. Two main roads run in a south-easterly direction from Cherbourg, one on the east coast and the other on the west. At the base of the peninsula these mails are crossed by a number of lateral roads running in a north-easterly direction. For the first 60 miles from the Cherbourg Peninsula the country is comparatively flat or undulating, patterned by orchards and woods. From tbe Germans’ outpost line of harbours. Cherbourg is now'removed. and the gap will be difficult to remedy for fast E-boats and similar craft. The gap "ill also assist the Allies in operations which will inevitably give us the Channel Islands, off the west coast of tho Cherbourg Peninsula, which afford ideal nests for small surface craft. Once the Channel Islands are in Allied hands the way lies open for further combined operations on the western const of Normandy between Cape de la Hague, west qf Cherbourg, and the Bay Mpnt

St. Michel, 70 miles to the south. This coast has numerous little harbours and landing places. As one goes south the tides get somewhat astronomical till at Mont St. Michel the tide goes out nearly 20 miles. It is said that a man on n horse is liable to be overwhelmed, so fast does the tide come in. Nevertheless, further Allied combined operations in this area should greatly expedite the land operations, specially as a main road and a railway run north along Ibis’ coast. Whatever subsequent Allied alignment is decided upon, the fact that this western eoast is open to assault, must further complicate the German tactical lay-out, which already appears to be wearing somewhat t,J a' further repercussion resulting from the fall of Cherbourg is the fact that large bodies of Allied troops will be freed for future operations. This has great significance in tho Caen area, where already the holding battle seems to be turning into a strong offensive. Not only is (he German grip on Normandy definitely weakened by the fall of Cherbourg, but also Le Havre and the Seine approaches to Paris are threatened.,—E-A-A,