STILL PUSHING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 6, 18 October 1943, Page 4

STILL PUSHING

FIFTH ARMY IN ITALY. GERMANS BURNING VILLAGES EFFECT OF ALLIED BOMBING. (N.Z. Press Association- Copyright.) (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17. Exploiting the success of the Vol-. turno crossing, the sth Army is pushing on, say correspondents in Italy to-day. Resistance pockets north of Capua, which is roughly in the middle of the sth Army zone, are being evacuated or eliminated. Villages abandoned by the Germans are burning. One ruined village had only two inhabitants —both old ladies. All the others had fled. Along the British sector anti-tank guns, six pounders and 17-, pounders continue to be ferried across the river, while tanks are also being transported in landing craft. Other tanks are being waterproofed and forded across ..

The effects of the Allied bombing of Capua are shown in the distraction of the armament works and the damaged 'arsenal and barracks. The terrific artillery concentration over the area resulted in a number of Germans deserting and crossing the river. They stated that their officers’ instructions were that soldiers leaving equipment behind Avere to’ he shot. —British Official Wireless.