GHASTLY MONUMENT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 5

GHASTLY MONUMENT

Shell-Torn Town In N.Z. Hands (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) GAMBETTOLA, October 16. This is just another of those many ghastly monuments which now disfigure the Italian countryside. A few days ago it was our objective: yesterday it bore the momentary glamour of our latest capture. Today tanks, guns and trucks roll forward through its debris-littered streets. Tomorrow it will be merely a colourless pile of rubble in which homeless people will scramble hopelessly in search of salVa Even in the past two days the sister vilage of Gatteo has resolved itself into featureless masses, through which traffic winds incessantly. The road goes forward’ through desolated fields and riven buildings till at last the shattered, remains of what was once an electrified railway line appear. We are very close to the Rigosso Canal, and on our right is Gambettola. The canal drives straight across the countryside toward the sea —a formidable barrier which held up our advance for almost two days. Now .it is firmly spanned by a long Bailey bridge, on which New Zealand engineers still work painstakingly. Their main job here is done, but they still have to watch the bridge for the slightest sign of strain as truck follows truck across it. Weather Conditions Improved.

We are travelling again in clouds of yellow, penetrating dust. For once the weather is not on the enemy’s side and the sun is bright on the masses of masonry and shell-torn walls which are Gambettola. The wail and blasting crump of nebelwerfers is very close as the Germans, still only 3000. yards away, methodically pound the ruins. In a house on the outskirts which has escaped the barrages of two armies is the headquarters of the southern battalion of the brigade commanded by Brigadier Burroughs. A young colonel is conferring 'with junior officers on the latest progress, which today has been steady but unspectacular. Till noon today this battalion alone bagged over 60 prisoners, who are already on their way back. The men are very happy with the close support they are receiving from New Zealand Shermans. One instance alone illustrates this. As the infantry went forward this morning past Gambettola they were paced by armour which covered any threatening point. The drive took them up the road toward the village of Ruffio, only three miles from Cesena. As one Sherman trundled along the road an anti-tank gun opened fire from a few hundred yards. Hit in the tracks, the tank ground to a stop, but the turret was still in action. The anti-tank gun was knocked out and the infantry overran the position. There is still one river line between our troops and Cesena, and the latest reports are that the enemy is still in strength on this side of it. Certainly his air-bursting SB's and nebelwerfers arc still vOry active.