The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-25

lar army relief to the cityS em- battled and outmatched partisan army.
 tNBc Correspondent Merrill Muel- Ter, broadcasting from Gen. Eisen- howers headquarters in France said this afternoon that the liberation of Paris ''Ls a fact" but the statement was not elaDorated.D The unidentified announcer said also that Canadian troops were in action inside the city, but he did not expand on their part tn the battle.
 Throughout the morning the se- cret transmitter kept up a rRn- ming account Of the street battle, tracing the progress of the French regulars across the Latin quarter 10 the Pont St. Michel and on to the lie De La Cite in the middle Of the Seine. and of the Americans for the Orleans gate to the broad boule- yard Du Montparnasse and thence to the Luxembourg.
 At many points the Germans put the torch to houses and public buildings before retreating, and the French transmitter said a pail Of smoke covered the center Of the capital.
 Versailles
 The French armor swept m rom the western suburo Of Versailles at 2:30 a. Ia. crushing a light German screening force, and by mid-morn- ing was reported to have reached the Latin quarter, on the lat bank Of the Seine.
 More than 4s hours after French General Pierre KOeTigs premature announcement that hts Partisan troops and the Parisians themselves had liberated tie city, fierce nght- ing continued at a score ot points and the remnant O. the hazi gag- Tison appeared to have committed itself to a death battle in the barr" eaded streets.
 The German DINE news agency said the historic Louvre, treasure house of the worlds greatest art, was the scene Of bloody fighting and asserted that rarce ot Patriots had seized the building and was hold ing the Wehrmacht at bay Wlul rife ard machine gun fire,
 LeClere's Poilus, however, were re- ported at the s. Michel bridge on the opposite bank of the Seine within 300 yards Of the Louvre, moving in rapidly to lit the siege,
 Uneonflrmed reports broadcast py the Fighting French radio told oI savage street Sighting on both banks Of the Seine, around the city hall, the tomb Of Napoleon and the Place De La Republtque,
 one broadcast said the Germans had set fire to the Hotel crlil0D and the Navy ministry,
 PsTaebBllsgs
 T1le French radio also said that American DaTachullsts dropped into the city some time ago had come out of hiding 10 join the battle and inst Canadian troops were ln action glth Leclertcs French aFmor, AZ some points, t added, the Germans were fleeing wildly to avoid battle gltb the Alliee regulars,
 Early lp the day, the French tFansnltler broadcast ap 0rdeF from Fighting French headquarters calls Ing all ParisiaDs "t0 the bsrTleades''
 The first French regulars lo break into the city met stafleT op' position than had been expected and found the streets studded wllIl baFTlcadeS, aem0lttions and pun. dFeds of mines, Many Of the Hezls surrendered after brief show oI Fasl6tanee. however, end early fes ports said the attack was eosps Well,
 lTbe Fighting French radio sala E.eClereg troops began crossing Wls st, Michel bridgs at e;30 tllls morp' Ing after clearing German troops from the Rue Rt, Jacques osl the IeIs bank. The Pont Et, Micbel runs to the Ele De La Cite, all Island % the river and tlle heart Of Paris, where Otter lighting he'd been reported