September 16, 1944; SIEGFRIED LINE CRUMBLES:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1944:

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA: SATURDAY EVENING, September 16, 1944

Several American Armies

Racing Toward Rhine River

as Siegfried Line Crumbles

Fierce Fighting Reported at Some Points,

But at Others Opposition Is Surprisingly

Weak With Germans Lacking in Big Guns

By James M. Long.

LONDON, (AP)—

 Forward units of the Berlin-bound U. S. 1st army have "completely penetrated" the Siegfried line in a push that ringed Aachen, possibly broke into that strongpoint, and thrust on six miles or more deeper into Germany, supreme headquarters announced late Saturday. Complete penetration means that troops have gone through the whole previously-prepared fortified line.

But headquarters stressed that this did not necessarily mean a breakthrough of the vaunted Siegfried defenses had been accomplished, through it suggested such a fact.

A breakthrough is not regarded as achieved until the breach has been sufficiently exploited so more troops can be poured through freely, preventing the enemy from sealing off the gap by hurling in mobile reserve forces.

The thrust through a 10-milewide breach beyond Aachen was one of four developing invasions of the reich. The Berlin radio meanwhile indicated a

through approaching the break-Rhine 150 miles to the south in France.

The Siegfried line was completely penetrated by 1st army elements just 24 hours after Lt.-Gen. Courtney H. Hodges' forces battered into its outer defenses, headquarters said.

On the Way to Cologne.

Battle for Palaus

Moving Forward

One Airstrip Taken;

Battle on for Another

(By The Associated Press.)

American marines b a t t l e d against stiff resistance Saturday toward the airstrip of Pleliu island in the Palaus while another Yank force on Morotai island readied easily-captured Pitoe airfield for use in the corning battle for the Philippines. Established on a two mile long Peleliu beachhead, marines of the Guadalcanal-famed 1st division pushed ahead against furious opposition from an estimated 8,000 Japanese defenders.

Losses were light m the initial landings, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced Friday night, and "several enemy counter-attacks, employing; tanks were thrown back by our ground forces" with strong air and naval support.

Soviet Forces

Knocking at

Warsaw Doors

Pressing Attack on

Polish Capital From

Captured Praga

LONDON, (UP)—

Czechoslovak forces fighting in eastern Slovakia were reported officially Saturday to have established contact with advanced elements of the red army.

By Eddy Gilmore.

MOSCOW.(AP)—

Red army patrols have crossed the Vistula from captured Praga and scouted German positions at Warsaw while Russian and Polish troops hurled back the

first big nazi armored attack upon their positions in the east bank suburb, field dispatches said Saturday.

Eleven localities north of Praga were declared seized by Russian and Polish units, increasing the pressure upon Warsaw. The patrols were reported to

have brought back information on the disposition of nazi defenses in the besieged Polish capital, but Moscow had no information on whether a crossing had been accomplished in force.

The army newspaper Red Star said the Germans sent numerous tanks and self-propelled guns to aid their troops between the

Vistula and the western Bug, "but nothing helped."

Tank Warfare Severe.

Tank warfare in the Praga sector is becoming the most severe of the entire war. Most of the 110 tanks which the midnight Russian communique reported destroyed were in the Praga area.