LINE PENETRATED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 30, 15 November 1943, Page 3

LINE PENETRATED

ENEMY’S WINTER OFFENSIVE

STUBBORN RESISTANCE MET. IMPORTANT TOWN CAPTURED. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 14. Despite the nature of the terrain, weather and the enemy’s grim opposition, the Allied -forces are penetrating into positions the Germans intended to hold as a winter defensive line in Italy, says the British United Press correspondent at Algiers. The Germans are fighting bitterly, retreating only after the most stubborn resistance of a German withdrawal in any area, often swiftly followed up by a vigorous counter-attack. With snow falling fast along most of the front the Allied troops are blasting their way forward and then attacking with hand-grenades and bayonets when the big guns can no longer help. Allied advances around the Mignano and Venafro area both hold out serious possibilities for the Germans. The German line has already buckled a little at both these points. Units of the sth Army routed two German battalions north-west of Venafro and captured Monteaquila, north-west of Venafro. General Sir Bernard Montgomery’s troops took Atessa after furious fighting. The enemy hurled in numerous counter-attacks striving to retain the town from which excellent observation can be obtained over the area of the Sangro. The Bth Army ,had a stiff job to seize Atessa, which is 1588 feet, above sea level.

Our patrols in last few days crossed the Sangro River unopposed and advanced over one mile further westwards in the Rionera area.

Eighth Army patrols have seen vivid red glows in the sky and have heard the dull boom of explosions from Alfredena, also from a nearby town, which the Germans appear to be demolishing. The loss of Alfredena and Castel di Sangro would be a serious blow to the Germans. The capture of either town would force the Germans back to a circuitous route 40 miles around one of the highest groups of the Apennines. German artillery is at present unusually active south-west of Mignano,

in the British sector of the sth Army. From here, for hours, the sky has been lit up by flashes from the German guns pounding British positions south of the Garigliano River. Near the mouth of the Garigliano both sides are sending patrols across the river. Many clashes are taking place on both banks.

A review of the fighting' last month reveals that the Allies advanced about 20 miles on the western flank, 25 miles in the central sector and between 30 and 40 on the eastern flank. This is an average gain of ohe mile daily—not spectacular, but considered reasonably satisfactory in view of the tremendously difficult terrain, German resistance and the weather. The German News Agency announced that the German troops occupied islands off Flume after short resistance.