June 12, 1944; U.S. TROOPS LINK-UP ON BOTH SIDES OF VIRE RIVER:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, JUNE 12, 1944:

 The Allied beachheads in France became a unified belt 51 miles broad yesterday as American troops on both sides of the Vire River linked up below Carentan. And the belt reached 13 miles into Normandy at its deepest part as British armored

 (see second post  on June 12 for D-day progress at Normandy)

 

LATE NEWS New York, N.Y.—London, England—France Monday, June 12, 1944

2 U.S. Forces Link Up

At Vire River; British

Capture Key Junction

Yanks Gain in Push

On Cherbourg

Peninsula

The Allied beachheads in France became a unified belt 51 miles broad yesterday as American troops on both sides of the Vire River linked up below Carentan. And the belt reached 13 miles into Normandy at its deepest part as British armored

troops took Tilly-sur-Seulles, eight miles south of Bayeux. The beaches were freed of all observed artillery fire and their build-up with more men and supplies made greater strides as the. ruffled Channel calmed down.

On the Cherbourg peninsula the Yanks.- * . . . . • ' 'crossed the Merderet River northwest of Carentan, which at that point runs six miles inland almost parallel with the east coast, and occupied lirm ground between Ccirentan and Isigny

to the east, rising above areas which the Germans flooded for about 1,000 square

miles.

A spectacular advance was made by the Yanks below there as they captured the town of Lison, five miles southeast of Isigny on the road to St. Lo, and pushed

on several miles beyond on a broad front. Isigny had been taken Saturday.

Fight for Sluice Gates

TheWarToday

France-U.S. forces east and west of  Vire join up making beachhead solid for 51 miles.

Yanks gain both ways from Carentan British capture road junction of Tilly-sur-Seule, 13 miles-"inland.

•Air War— up to 1'000 U'S- heavy bombers hit German installations in France in heaviest single blow since D-Day . . . Umbrella called closest air support ever given ground operations . . - Aircraft now operating from landing strips in Normandy.

Russia- Red Army, launching general offensive in Karelian Isthmus, between Lake Ladoga and Gulf of Finland,-breaks through Finn defenses,

Italy-Allies advance 60 miles north of Rome less than week after capturing capital . . . Eighth Army takes Pescara , key port on Adriatic . . . 70,000 Germans killed, wounded or captured since offensive began May 12.

Pacific-Allies report destruction of four Japanese destroyers attempting reinforce garrison on Biak island in Schoutens . . . Japs claim destruction of two U.S. air bases in China.

ejt