FIGHTING IN ROUEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 54, 1 September 1944, Page 5

FIGHTING IN ROUEN

ENEMY ESCAPE ROUTES BEING CUT

Rec. 12.20 p.m. LONDON, August 31,

Canadian elements, are well into Rouen this morning, but the Germans, are still in the city and street fighting is goirjg on, says Reuters corres-; p. ondent with the F|rst Canadian Army, The Canadians entered, -from the 'south-east and the Germans still hold that section of Rouen on the west bank of the Seine. The Canadians are now cutting the Germans' escape routes, through the city. It is believed that a considerable number of Germans, are trapped in Rouen in the loop west of the river. British troops who crossed the Seine near Duclair have established a small i bridgehead on the Havre Peninsula. They crossed' the river in rafts, and were supported on the ooposite'bank by the F.F.L ■ * Still further down the river Belgians who hold Quillebeuf patrolled across into the Havre Peninsula. The Germans in Rouen blew up the telephone exchange, the Palais de Justice, the railway station, and quayside dumps. They destroyed the cathedral by fire. Rouen reacted like a 'little Paris" when Canadian infantry entered the city today. Maquis guided the Canadians through the streets, while civilians were out in hundreds, welcoming the liberators. Tricolours appeared from windows as street after street was cleared of light opposition from German snipers. ' ■