Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (September 22, 1944)
Communiqué No. 167
The Allied drive northwards through NIJMEGEN continued yesterday against increasing enemy opposition. Our armored forces, having captured the bridge at NIJMEGEN in conjunction with airborne troops, crossed to the north bank of the WAAL and pushed on north. The town of NIJMEGEN has been cleared of the enemy.
The base of the Allied salient has been widened on both sides of EINDHOVEN. We have reached SOMEREN on the east and we are fighting in the area of WINTELRE on the west.
Fighters and fighter-bombers supported the operations in HOLLAND. Some enemy aircraft were encountered, principally in the areas of NIJMEGEN and LOCHEM. Twenty enemy aircraft were shot down for the loss of four of our fighters.
In the SCHELDT Estuary, we have captured TERNEUZEN and are steadily mopping-up the southern bank east of the LEOPOLD CANAL.
In the BOULOGNE area, the enemy has been confined to the high ground southwest of the town. An enemy strongpoint in the FORÊT DE LA CRECHE on the outskirts of the town was attacked by medium and light bombers.
Troops crossing into GERMANY from Southern HOLLAND have advanced to within three miles of GEILENKIRCHEN. In the STOLBERG–BÜSBACH area east of AACHEN, mopping-up is in progress and we are engaged in house-to-house fighting in STOLBERG. East of the town, our troops have gained high ground.
Further south, Allied troops are clearing the HÜRTGEN FOREST against moderate artillery fire and are also mopping-up in the area of LAMMERSDORF. Numerous counterattacks have been repulsed near DIEKIRCH and one unit has destroyed 28 enemy tanks.
South of METZ, our forces advanced to within six miles of the city. Along the MEURTHE River, we have cleared LUNÉVILLE and our troops have taken high ground along the west bank five miles to the southeast. Other units are in the vicinity of FLIN on the MEURTHE River, five miles northwest of BACCARAT.
Railway centers at EHRANG, GEROLSTEIN and PRONSFELD in GERMANY were attacked yesterday by medium bombers.