STEADY PRESSURE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 1, 12 October 1943, Page 3

STEADY PRESSURE.

ALLIED ADVANCE IN ITALY. VITAL ROAD AT STAKE. LONDON, October 11. The latest reports of the fighting in Italy speak of steady Allied pressure all along the line. The sth Army’s front now runs inland up the Volturno River, and then up the Calore River (a tributary of the Volturno) into the hills north of

Benevento. From here the Sth Army’s front runs north to the Adriatic coast near Termoli.

On Sunday the Bth Army advanced about four miles westward all along .the line, and captured Guglionesi, about 13 miles inland from Termoli. North of Naples, the sth Army and the Germans on the Volturno River are reported to be massing for another hard battle. “All our battles have developed for the vital road across Italy, running from Termoli along the Biferno Aiver valley to the mountains,” says a message from Allied Headquarters. “The Germans are throwing in all their available forces to stop the Bth Army’s advance. “British troops of the Bth Army are thrusting on beyond Laririo (a few miles east of the Biferno River), while the sth Army’s right wing is also advancing. Together, these thrusts open the possibility of a sideways sweep across Italy from the inner end of the Volturno River line.” The British United Press correspondent with the Royal Navy at Salerno says: “Scores of invasion craft are unloading tanks, guns, and munitions at Salerno for a big Allied push on Rome. There is more shipping in Salerno harbour than during the first days of the invasion, and more huge convoys are coming in.” The Paris radio reports a fresh Allied landing north of the Volturno River. General Montgomery, when inspecting troops in the Termoli area, said that the enemy had been taken by surprise, which showed that he did not expect a quick advance by the Allied armies. The Allied troops had encountered some difficulties but they had overcome them magnificently.