RAPE OF ITALY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 303, 22 December 1943, Page 3

RAPE OF ITALY

HUNS AND VANDALS "WOLVES OF THE MOUNTAINS" N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent EIGHTH ARIUY FRONT, Dec. 18. While the Eighth Army continues to battle northward against bitter opposition by the main German forces patrols of New Zealanders out among the mountains wage ceaseless guerilla warfare against a roving and destructive enemy. Our men, previously without experience of the scorched earth policy in any form, have now seen it at its worst. When our first advance across the Sangro River over-ran a large formation of Germans, many of the enemy escaped into the Apennines and through to the western sector of the front. Since then they have hung on our flank; neither strong enough nor courageous enough to cause great inconvenience to our troops. They seek easier game. When we took Castol Frentano a fortnight ago we could see over against the snowy slopes of Majella several wavering columns of biue smoke. They came from the remains of mountain villages, peopled by humble folk who had little stake in the war.

It was then that bands of Germans commenced a reign of terror and destruction. Soon pitiful streams of refugees, carrying what remained of their possessions on their backs, wandered aimlessly acrpss the country—homeless and destitute under the blast of winter. As the black blight of destruction spread along the flank it was apparent that the marauders were no longer broken troops, but demolition gangs organised and supported by enemy alpine and parachute formations.

New Zealand reconnaissance patrols took up the cause and the raiders began to withdraw with casualties. But far out on the flank villages and towns hitherto unmarked by war continued to blaze. The black total of "the grey wolves of the mountains," as one villager called them, now reaches 25 villages destroyed. To-day I went over the winding hill track to Gessopalena, which is the most completp ruin I have ever seen, more complete than Tobruk after years of shelling and bombing by both sides. Our way was blocked by huge piles of rubble —all that remains of the older part of the town. There were heaps 30ft high, the ruins of century-old buildings toppled into narrow cobbled lanes. No industry will ever clear this part of the town, through pitiful fragments of which move homeless people.