ALLIES BATTLING IN RAIN AND SNOW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 17 November 1943, Page 5

ALLIES BATTLING IN RAIN AND SNOW

MOVING IN LOW GEAR

Severe Winter Conditions On Italian Fronts X.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 16. Along the whole Italian front the Allies are battling in rain and snowstorms against increased German resistance. General Alexander, who is directing the campaign, has slipped his offensive machine into low gear to overcome mud, slush and mountains, says one correspondent. The Eighth Army continues to edge forward to level up its line along the Sangro River. It has strengthened its hold north of the recently-captured Atessa, _ gaining new heights. Advanced units, moving forward from positions 20 miles inland, clashed with a German detachment at Montazzoli, six miles north of the British-held Castiglione. The Germans are expected to put up a hard fight for Montazzoli, which overlooks Sangro Valley, four miles distant. The Germans in the west recaptured some ground held by the Americans on Mount Croce, 2000 ft high, north of Venafro, where the Allied move threatens to encircle Cassino. , , The Fifth Army advanced three miles bevond Rionero, south-west of Castel di Sangro. Two strong German counter-attacks were repelled north-west of Isernia, where the Germans threw in, the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, which suffered heavy casualties.

Eighth Army in Great Coats Paris radio reports that General Montgomery continues to mass his Eighth Army troops and seems to be waiting for artillery reinforcements before resuming large-scale operations. . ... For the first time m its history the Eighth Army is in greatcoats, states Reuters correspondent. The troops are wearing long woollen underwear under their battledress, also leather jerkins with heavy greatcoats on top and muffler ana gloves to keep out the damp and C °Thev are standing by the guns along ' the Sangro from the moutn to the upper reaches in the snowcovered Apennines. It is a diffeient cold from the dry cold ot the desert night. There are mud. slusn. sleet, snow and ice. The Fifth Army is advancing steadily along the heights dominating the approaches to Cassmo, savs the Algiers radio. It is meeting cleverlv concealed defences, but in the last few days completely routed several German units.

Miles of Mountainous Country

Twenty mi les of mountainous country constituting the German winter line faces the Fifth Army, ancl into these rugged hills several enemy divisions have dug strong positions, states an agency Avar correspondent. At Castelforte on Mondav one group of enemy, troops flew a" Swastika flag plainly visible from our forward posts. Patrolling was the only activity along the front, but explosions could be seen where the Germans were carrying out demolitions.

According to Allied correspondents, the Germans are carrying out a violent scorched earth policy. Reuters correspondent with the Eighth Army says that night after night the sky over the mountains behind the enemy lines is lit by a red glow. The Germans are setting fire to villages, from which they are removing everything of value and destroying every house where British troops might possibly be billeted. They have already driven every inhabitant, from the oldest woman to the youngest child, from seven villages.

The Germans are destroying all facilities in the harbours of Pescara and Ortona. They have also blown up all bridges over the Sangro River.