CROSSING OF SANGRO

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24116, 27 November 1943, Page 5

CROSSING OF SANGRO

“A Very Tough Business” bridgehead now SECURE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) . LONDON, Nov ?.5. “The crossing of the Sangro was a very tough business, indeed,” said the Commander-in-Chief of the Bth Army (General Sir Bernard Montgomery). “The British soldiers rose to great heights under the most appalling, weather conditions. We have now a bridgehead 9000 to 10,000 yards wide by 2000 yards deep, and it is very firmly held. In fact, it is secure. We have what we wanted.” The bridgehead has been established on part of the territory which the Germans have been referring to as their winter line. It is emphasised, however, that the establishment of this bridgehead does not constitute a breach in the line, which is fortified in depth, but it does make a large “bite” into it. The importance which the Germans attach to the position is revealed by their many desperate counter-attacks. The operation is briefly described in the communique from Allied Headquarters; “In the last few days the Bth Army, fighting in exceptionally bad conditions of mud and rain, crossed the river Sangro and secured a bridgehead on a front of more than 9000 yards to a depth of about 2000 yards. This bridgehead has been firmly held against repeated German counterattacks. Weather conditions are bad, but Tactical Air Force, in spite of very bad flying conditions, supported the operations. “Fifth Army patrols have been active. Enemy artillery was in action on both fronts. Bad weather continues. “Medium bombers, fighter-bombers, and fighters co-operated with the Army in the battle . area, attacking positions south of Lanciano and Fossacesia. Railways and industrial targets in Turin were attacked,last night. Five enemy aircraft were destroyed. Four of ours are mssing," (Lanciano is six miles inland from the coas* and five miles beyond the Sangro. Fossacesia is close to the sea and two miles beyond the Sangro.) Describing how the bridgehead across the Sangro was secured. Reuter’s correspondent with the Bth Army shys that sappers throughout the night constructed bridges. They met only spasmodic fire, but, when dawn broke, the German artillery opened up against the bridges, which were then completed. British advanced units crossed the bridges under a heavy barrage, repelled bitter German counter-attacks, and prepared the way for reinforcements.tf The crossing was begun early last Saturday, when the weather conditions were so bad that the Germans could quite well expect that an attack would not be attempted. Hand lines were put up to help the men against the strong current. When the Germans realised that the attack was under way, they put up a heavy barrage of artillery and mortar fire, to which the British artillery replied. Sappers pushed their way through the elaborate German minefields on the bank of the river, and the British artillery intensified its fire. Waves of Allied aircraft gave the land forces support, although they had to go up in rainstorms. Wave after wave of German Infantrymen, supported by heavy artillery, poured down from the 1000-foot heights north of the Sangro in a vain endeavour to oust the forward units from their positions. In spite of the opposition, reinforcements waded waist deep across the ice cold Sangro to join the first assault spearhead. The Bth Army advance along a 10mile front in the Upper Sangro Valley threatens the whole centre of the German winter line. Before the Bth Army forces is the road to Pescara, which is barred by strong German defences situated in the 1000-foot high villages of Santa Maria and Fossacesia. Allied aircraft at present are successfully concentrating against these defences. A pall of black smoke hangs over the German defences as the result of a daylong air bombardment on Thursday, The Bth Army occupied Montenero, on the way to Alfedena. and has captured Capracotta, six miles north-west of Agnone. Eighth Army artillery in the Castel di Sangro area on Thursday heavily pounded the Germans, who were putting up a stiff resistance. Brisk skirmishes continued in the Alfedena area.