GERMANS CONTINUE FIERCE RESISTANCE

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

GERMANS CONTINUE FIERCE RESISTANCE

EIGHTH ARMY FRONT Fifth Army In Extensive Minefields British Official Wireless Rec 12.30 pjn. LONDON, Dec. 20. The Eighth Army is probably very dose to Ortona and commands a considerable stretch of the OrtonaOrsogna lateral road, which, though denied the enemy, is as yet useless to fiie Allies. In the northern sector of the Eighth Army frorit the Germans still display fierce resistance. In the coastal area our troops, supported by tanks, made short advances and at one point inflicted severe losses on the enemy. Reports of the capture of Ortona and Orsogna are not confirmed in London. Press messages from the front report that the troops pushing north from the lateral road are unable to make rapid progress owing to the difficult country. The Indians, advancing through hills on a 15-mile front, made ground rapidly until a blown-np bridge held them up. Canadians Inflict Heavy losses In the coastal area the Canadians yesterday launched, an attack, in the course of which heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, but they found the going so heavy they were unable to exploit the advantage gained. They broke into enemy positions, but the infantry was unable to keep pace with the tanks. Many parachutists were dazed by the Canadian artillery barrage, but others outside the barrage fought fiercely. German prisoners taken since the beginning of the Sangro battle are stated to number 1800. . The estimated losses since the Sangro battle inflicted on the German 90th Panzer Grenadier Division been extremely high. The two panzer grenadier regiments, of which it was originally composed, the 361 st and the 200 th, each totalling about 2500 men, have been amalgamated and it is believe that of the original 5000 officers and men 2400 were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

Fifth Army's Obstacles Following the fall of San Pietro, says a correspondent at Allied headquarters, Fifth Army patrols pushed forward along the road in the general direction of Cassino and the small village of San Vittore, situated on high ground. Here fighting is taking place among extensive minefields. Quantities of booby traps also have to be cleared. In the northern sector the Fifth. Army and the French are fighting in an important part of the mountains. An advance of about two.miles was made. Not only are the" Germans maintaining vigorous opposition, but Allied troops have to overcome soggy, wooded ground. Senegalese are putting up a fine show, resorting to tne "use of knives ana tiayonets. During this, advance there were indications that the Germans, who usually bury their dead, left in a great hurry. The Germans, however, continue to fight with great determination to maintain their hold on high features and to slow up the advance at every available opportunity. According to United Nations radio in Algiers, the Fifth Army line now runs from Venafro through San Pietro to Rocca. With San Pietro in its hands, it is pushing forward to threaten San Vittore, six miles south of the Cassino Pass guarding the main inland road to the north.