Allies Surging Forward In Italy

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 302, 21 December 1943, Page 3

Allies Surging Forward In Italy

Three Powerful Thrusts Deep Into Hun Defences (N.Z.P.A. Copyright.—Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 20. Allied troops along a 70-mile front in Italy are now advancing in three powerful thrusts, says Reuters correspondent in Algiers. The first thrust is by Indian shock troops of the Eiriith Army, pushing north from Consalvi, which they captured to-day and probing deeper into the German defences on the Foro River The second thrust is by Canadian Sherman tanks nearer the coast, which made a clean break-through, inflicting severe casualties on German infantry and threw them into utter confusion The thud thrust is that of the Fifth Army spearheads, which are investing ban Vittore, while the main forces are pouring through the Mignano gap. Most of the Ortona-Orsogna lateral road is in Allied hands Consalvi, a mile north of the road, provides a commanding springboard for future operations. The Eighth Army is keepng up its pressure along 1 2 mile= of the eastern front, and the Fifth Army, following the capture of San Pietro and the investment of San Vittore,'is driving along the road to Rome. The Associated Press correspondent with the Canadians says the battle for Moro entered the final stages on Saturday. The Canadians, exploiting their drive across the Ortona-Orsogna road, closed in against the Germans, who fought stubbornly on the lower side of the road. The main body of the Germans is believed to have withdrawn from the line. The Germans yesterday afternoon destroyed a bridge, which was the only avenue of retreat from the maritime troops mopping up the gully where the rearguard was standing. Since the Sangro battle the Eighth Army has knocked out 43 German tanks, including thirty 22-ton Mark IV. type, reports the British United Press Algiers correspondent. Berlin radio stated that a large-scale- American attack aimed at capturing Rome is believed to be imminent.