American and French forces early this morning began an attack on the main German positions covering Versailles and Paris. At the same time news brought by refugees through the lines from the French capital indicates that fighting continues within the city itself, though it is not clear whether the Germans╒ motive in renewing their attacks against the F.F.I. is based on the hope of crushing resistance once and for all within Paris or whether it has the much more limited object of giving the Germans time to get as much material and men away from Paris as they can, and also, no doubt, to prepare extensive demolitions.
This morning╒s attack started at seven o╒clock, in a heavy, warm summer drizzle. The main position against which it was directed is centred on Trappes, four miles south-west of Versailles, where the enemy has a strong screen covering the principal roads from the west, south-west, and south. These are three in number, the first coming east from Dreux, the second south-east from Rambouillet, and the third running first east through Chevreuse and then turning north into Versailles some six miles away.
In front of this main position the Germans, as is their habit, have outposts. Yesterday evening our advanced forces fought with one of these just north of Le Perray, on the Rambouillet-Versailles road. The strength of the force holding this position was estimated at 200 men, with four tanks, which is typical for this kind of battle group.
This fighting last night took place in the heart of the Forest of Rambouillet, where the Kings of France used to hunt, and of course excellent cover was provide for that ubiquitous German weapon the 88mm. gun.
Whilst fighting was in progress the countryside behind the liens was en fete. As we drove forward literally the entire population of towns and villages on the route or anywhere near the route of the allied advance stood on the roadside to watch us go by and to cheer us on with the greatest possible enthusiasm. This was due partly, at any rate, to the presence with us of large French units, of whom a party of sailors got by far the most noisy cheers ╤ the first time France had had a chance of greeting her Navy for four years. In the general welter of applause there were even cries of ╥Vive la Presse!╙ as our jeep went by full of flowers.
