TERRIFIC AERIAL ASSAULT OS NAZIS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 252, 23 October 1943, Page 5

TERRIFIC AERIAL ASSAULT OS NAZIS

ISOLATING ROME Big Battle Expected In Apennines Mountains X.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON. Oct. 22. The most intense air onslaught since the Salerno landing has carried the attack to the Germans who are attempting to consolidate a new Rome defence line north of the lower reaches of the Volturno River from Mondragone on the sea shore to Venafro. Reuters Algiers correspondent says Air Chief-Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder's air fleets, with deadly persistence, are now isolating Rome from the north and blockading the citv which is Western Italy's communications bottleneck. The correspondent points to the significance of the aerial blockade in the present | situation in which the opposing armies are sparring for positions. Correspondents declare that the Germans, under the devastating rain of bombs, are facing an impossible task in repairing the shattered chain of roads, railways, bridges and highways on which Rome's entire supply system depends. Ajlied Planes Unchallenged Allied planes are sweeping the skies almost unchallenged. The fury of their attack ac present overshadows the land operations. _ The Air Force's methodical destruction of the bases of German resistance in Southern Italy is playing an allimportant part in blasting the road to Rome for the Fifth and Eighth Armies.

General Clark's Army is massing for a big battle, which, it is believed, will be fought among the picturesque Apennine valleys. The Fifth Army is expected to strike along the upper reaches of the Volturno against Venafro, which is 10 miles east of Cassino. The right wing of the thrust, which has resulted in the captures of Alife and Piedmonte D'Alife, has already gained important positions less than 20 miles from Venafro. German Counter-attacks The capture of Alife and Piedmonte D'Alife straightens the Allied line from Dragoni to Vinchaituro. After the capture of Alife a heavy German counter-attack was repulsed. While work on the new offensive continues, the German shock detachments are making sharp counter blows against isolated sections of the Allied line. The latest counter-attack was made against Cancello. The Germans threw in considerable weight, but the Fifth Army stood firm. According to Cairo radio, the Allies have occupied Baranello.