Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (September 21, 1944)
Communiqué No. 166
There has been heavy fighting in the area of NIJMEGEN where Allied land and airborne forces have linked up. The base of the Allied salient has been widened and airborne landing have been further reinforced.
Fighters and fighter-bombers provided escort and support for these airborne operations and also provided support for the ground forces.
Allied troops in BELGIUM advanced to the line of the LEOPOLD CANAL and made substantial gains to the SCHELDT west of ANTWERP.
Mopping-up continues in the area of BOULOGNE south of the LAINE River.
The German garrison and fortified positions at CALAIS were subjected to a strong and concentrated attack yesterday afternoon and evening by heavy bombers, one of which is missing.
In southern HOLLAND, our ground forces have crossed the GERMAN border to SCHARPENSEEL, five miles northeast of HEERLEN, under heavy German artillery fire. Stubborn fighting is in progress at other points along the front, particularly at STOLBERG, east of AACHEN and on the outskirts of BIESDORF, east of the LUXEMBOURG town of SIEKIRCH, where, earlier, a strong enemy counterattack was repulsed and 17 German tanks knocked out.
In the MOSELLE Valley, heavy enemy resistance is being encountered south of METZ, with fighting centering around SILLEGNY. Our forces also are engaged in the vicinity of CHÂTEAU-SALINS, 18 miles northeast of NANCY. Our troops advancing northeast of CHARMES have reached the towns of MOYEN and MAGNIERES.
Gains have been made along the entire sector northwest of BELFORT. Opposition has been slight and the enemy is relying principally on lightly-defended road blocks to stay our advances. Several small towns have been occupied.
The enemy south of BELFORT has confined his activity to patrolling with moderate support from artillery and mortars.
A force of 19,312 enemy troops under Gen. Elster has been taken prisoner after a mass surrender south of the LOIRE River.