MONTGOMERY STARTS POWERFUL OFFENSIVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 253, 25 October 1943, Page 3

MONTGOMERY STARTS POWERFUL OFFENSIVE

TRIGW RIVER LINE Canadians Storm Mountain Stronghold N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 24. The Eighth Army, developing a powerful new offensive along the east coast of Italy, is standing firmly on bridgeheads which it has gained on the north bank of the Trigno River, from where strong forces are thrusting out. Dispatches from the front say that reinforcements are flowing uninterruptedly forward for the strengthening of the bridgeheads and are pressing home the wedge which has been driven deep into the enemy defences. The increasing momentum of the attack along the river line is forcing the Germans back across the stream at many points. The Eighth Army, when in a position to exploit its gains on the north bank of the river, will be able to move out towards the Vastoi-Isernia Road, five miles distant, and then strike westward, throwing a new communications line to the troops in the west. One lateral road across Italy, which crosses the Trigno, is immediately threatened. The next

great lateral link is the motor road through Isernia, lying in the Eighth Army's path, only a few miles from the spearheads which are biting into the defences of the German commander Kesselring. Correspondents say that the exposure of the lateral defences to attack is the principal gain of the Trigno crossing. Ijupara and Xmcito Captured Formations of the Eighth Army have occupied Lupara, 15 miles north-east of Campobasso. The Germans are resisting fiercely. The Allies repulsed an enemy counterattack at Montecilfone. The capture of Lucito, a few miles from the Trigno, and 11 miles north of Campobasso, is also most important from the viewpoint of communications because it strengthens the vital network in the Allied rear. Dispatches from the Canadian front, on the Eighth Army's left flank, show that a slow, gallant advance is being made through difficult country under heavy shellfire. The Canadians, in capturing Campochiaro had to storm their way up slopes 2000 ft high to the town on the summit against intense fire from the German positions on the heights. Reuters correspondent in Algiers says the capture of Campochiaro, though representing an advance of only five miles from Vinchiaturo, is the prelude to a further advance along the Rome highway.