146-175, September 1944

              [page 161]

COMMUNIQUE NO. 146
 1 September 1944

Driving on northward from the BEAUVAIS area, Allied forces yes-
terday [yesterday] reached AIMENS and established a firm bridgehead over the
 River SOMME. CORBIE, VILLERS BRETTONEUX [VILLERS BRETONNEUX] and MOREUIL were among the
 towns taken by this advance.

Further to the west our troops reached FORMERIE, BUCHY and
 FORGES LES EAUX.  North of ROUEN we have captured TOTES, half-way to
 DIEPPE, while other forces which crossed the SEINE near CAUDEBEC have
 passed through LILLEBONNE and reached the area of ST. ROAMIN DE
 CULBOSC [ST.-ROMAIN-DE-COLBOSC].

The commander of the Seventh German Army was among prisoners
 taken yesterday.

In the BEAUVAIS area, Allied armored units have pushed northeast-
ward [northeastward] along the BRECHE River, occupying BRESLE and FOUQUEROLLES.

Allied troops advancing north from PARIS have taken the towns of
 SENLIS, CREIL and CREPY.  The forces that took CREPY have advanced to
 BETHANCOURT and HARAMONT.  East of CREPY, our troops have reached
 Vaumoise.  Reconnaissance elements are within 2,000 yards of COMPIEGNE.

Gains of about 10 miles have been made by Allied troops moving
 north and east of REIMS.  Other troops have entered LAON where a 
 stiff fight occurred when our forces accounted for three train 
 loads of German troops who were attempting to withdraw from the town.

Allied troops advancing beyond ST. DIZIER have crossed the upper
 AISNE River several miles north of ST. MENEHOULD.  Other troops mov-
ing [moving] east and southeast of TROYES have made gains to points over 20
 miles from the town reaching the area just east of BAR-SUR-SEINE.

In BRITTANY, Allied troops closing in on BREST have advanced al-
most [almost] to the coast west of the port in the area south of ST. RENAN.
 The enemy has been cleared from DOUALAS [DAOULAS] peninsula south of BREST.

Clouds over FRANCE hindered Allied air activity early yesterday,
 but operating under improved conditions later in the day, fighters
 and fighter bombers attacked enemy road and rail movements in northern
 FRANCE and BELGIUM.  Motor transport numbering in hundreds was destroy-
ed [destroyed] and locomotives and trucks were hit.
Coastal guns on the Island of CEZEMBRE were attacked by medium
 and heavy bombers.  Fuel dumps in the FORET d'ARQUES and at MOMEXY
 were hit by light bombers which also attacked military buildings at
 VINCEY.

During the night of 30 - 31 August, enemy shipping in channel
 waters stretching from DIEPPE to DUNKIRK was attacked by coastal
 aircraft.  One large merchant vessel and a small ship were hit.