17.7.1944 Stuart Hibberd
The British Second Army is engaged in heavy fighting. The Americans
are reported to be in the outskirts of St. Lô. Thousands of German
prisoners marched through the streets of Moscow today. Overnight Rommel
reinforced his front facing our troops southwest of Caen. 5 divisions
with armour are facing us here. The Germans had more air support
than seen so far. Fierce fighting took place round Noyers. On a front
of 10 miles we advanced 2 1/2 miles at 5.15 this morning. The
Americans attacked toward St. Lô. Reports from Sweden say
that in recent attacks on Munich a factory turning out
engines for the flying bomb - which until recently manufactured
tanks - was damaged. In Italy the 5th Army took a high hill
dominating Leghorn from which place they are within 5
miles and also in sight of Pisa. Advances several
miles beyond Arezzo are also reported. Fresco's in Arezzo
are still intact. The cathedral there is undamaged. French
troops still hold Poggibonsi. Grodno is a place with
60000 inhabitants before the war. It means the most
Westerly advance of the Russians. 300 miles beyond the line
where their offensive started. Today the Germans admit
the loss of Grodno. It is 45 miles from East Prussia
and the same distance from Bialystok. Vawkavysk
captured on Friday is also the same distance away.
The distance Russian troops are from Brest-Litovsk
is 40 miles. Progress has also been made beyond
Wilna notwithstanding a fresh panzer division arrived
which was thrown into action at once. Soviet troops
are also 13 miles from Kawno [?] and more North 2 to 3
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