December 21, 1944; NAZI'S ADVANCE INTO BELGUIM:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, DECEMBER 21, 1944:

 WAR IN BRIEF

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WESTERN FRONT:

Germans continue drive into Belgium and Luxembourg, developing two deep wedges, one extending ten miles beyond Stavelot and the other three-fourths of the way across Luxembourg. Alliedarmy spokesman said Germans must be expected to make additional gains before countermeasures become, effective.. . .

EASTERN . FRONT:

Germans falling back on 125 mile battle line in southeastern Slovakia as Red. armies advance on

on Kassa and • Himaszombat.

PACIFIC FRONT:

Fourth successive-day of mass B-29 raids on Japanese industrial centers sends Superfortresses< again Mukden. American Infantrymen drive survivors of Yamashita defense line into hills of

western Leyte island.;

SOUTHERN FRONT:

Vicious German counter-attacks fail to drive Canadian troops from Naviglio canal bridgehead near Faenza. Other Eighth Army troops occupy- Formellino, near Bologna-Rimini highway

BURLINGTON, N. C, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1944

Important Road Is

Cut In Terrific

Battle Today

Paris, Dec. 21— (AP)~

The German counter-offensive has driven 35 miles into Belgium beyond Malmedy. cutting the Liege-Bastogne-Arlon road  at a point about 14 miles south of  Liege fortress, Supreme headquarters disclosed today.

Field Marshal Karl Von Rundledt's massive winter rush across Allied lines of communication had developed into two deep wedges as massive formations of from five or six armored divisions and eight or nine infantry divisions poured

into a wide breach under the concealment of fog and cloud..

The second deep wedge 'had penetrated three-fourths of the way across Luxembourg. This drive farther south appeared directed toward Sedan, scene of the

1940 breakthrough.

Course Of  Drive

The drive carried 14. miles from the frontier town of Vianden to ust east of  Wiltz, 10 miles east of Bastogne and 48 miles northeast of Sedan. Wiltz is 28 miles

north of the city of Luxembourg.

A parallel German column was in the vicinity of Clervaux. Seven miles northeast of Wiltz.

(insert Map)

Stimson Believes

War Is Being

Shortened

Washington, Dec. 21—(AP)

—War Secretary Stimson said today that if the German counter-offensive fails it definitely will shorten the war.

He coupled with this assertion, however, the statement that the Germans' ability

to launch the huge offensive is significant. He said the Nazis had penetrated Allied

territory for distances ranging from five to 20 miles.

Stimson, in his weekly review of the war given at a news -conference, said the Germans chose for their attack a sector "which had been loosely held by both

sides. ' It was a terrain which had not offered to the Allies much incentive

for exploitation..

To Determine

War Length

BY JIM HUTCHESON

General MacArthur's Headquarters,

Philippines, Dec. 21

(AP)—

American conquest of rugged Leyte island—the outcome "will decide the fate

of the greater east war," Japan's Premier Koiso said Dec 12 — neared accomplishment today.

The battle is rapidly drawing.to an end," announced Gen. Douglas MacArthur two months and a day liter he returned to the Philippines Oct. 20 with Amphibious

forces, landing on Leyte's east coast.

On Mindoro island—Tokyo radio said the Yanks sought to cover up "reverses" on Leyte by vaulting to the China sea side of the Philippines seven days ago—"there was no enemy ground activity and his air. action was light," today's communique,

said. Nine raiding planes were downed.

Irrevocable Disaster

Irrevocable disaster was depicted for the Nipponese on mountainous northwest Leyte. That decisive .battlefields is crossed north and south by a single corridor road from Pinamopoan to Ormoc and linked by a supplementary road to the west coast at Palompon.

WAR

IN BRIEF

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WESTERN FRONT:

Germans continue drive into Belgium and Luxembourg, developing two deep wedges, one extending ten miles beyond Stavelot and the other three-fourths of the way across Luxembourg. Alliedarmy spokesman said Germans must be expected to make additional gains before countermeasures become, effective.. . .

EASTERN . FRONT:

Germans falling back on 125 mile battle line in southeastern Slovakia as Red. armies advance on

on Kassa and • Himaszombat.

PACIFIC FRONT:

Fourth successive-day of mass B-29 raids on Japanese industrial centers sends Superfortresses< again Mukden. American Infantrymen drive survivors of Yamashita defense line into hills of

western Leyte island.;

SOUTHERN FRONT:

Vicious German counter-attacks fail to drive Canadian troops from Naviglio canal bridgehead near Faenza. Other Eighth Army troops occupy- Formellino, near Bologna-Rimini highway.