Eighth Army Crosses Sangro

Evening Star, Issue 25032, 26 November 1943, Page 3

Eighth Army Crosses Sangro

Desperate Counter-attacks Repulsed

Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright

(Bee. il a.m.) LONDON, November 25. Allied headquarters announces: " In the past few days the Eighth Army, fighting in exceptionally bad conditions of mud and rain, crossed the river Sangro and secured a bridgehead front of more than 9,000 yards to a depth of about 2,000. The bridgehead was firmly held against repeated German counter-attacks. Weather conditions were bad, but the Tactical Air Force, in spite of very bad flying conditions, supported the operations.

" Medium bombers, lighter-bombers, and fighters co-operated with the Army in the battle area, attacking positions soutli of Lanciano and Fossaecia."

The Eighth Army is now firmly in enemy forward positions across the Sangro River near the coast, and able to hold the ground gained despite repeated vigorous counter-attacks, says a correspondent.

The position of the' Eighth Army's nve-mile-broad bridgehead is indicated by the defended places in the battle area attacked from the air. Lanciano is six miles from the Adriatic and five miles beyond the Saugro, and Fossaecia is one and a-half miles from the sea and two and a-half across the river.

Algiers radio says that the crossing was made in the early hours of Saturday. Troops' crossed the open ground covered by minefields towards an escarpment a mile beyond the river. The correspondent says the Germans were active in the region of Caste] di Sangro, but were held off by heavy artillery fire.

Only bad weather is holding up the launching of a British and American offensive, says'Vichy radio. Everything indicates a general attack soon. The Allies have assembled considerable forces south of the Sangro and Garigliano. Describing-how-the bridgehead, across the Sangro was secured, Eeuter's correspondent with the Eighth Army says sappers throughout the night constructed bridges, encountering only spasmodic fire, but when dawn broke the German artillery opened up against the bridges, which were theD completed. The British advanced units crossed the bridges under a heavy barrage, repelled bitter German counter-attacks, and prepared the way for reinforcements., General Montgomery stated: " We have got what we wanted. It was a very tough business, but the British soldiers have risen to great heights in the most appalling weather. Our bridgehead is secure." Indian troops displayed great fighting qualities in the battles across the Sangro. They beat down fierce opposition in their sector. The Eighth Army taken Monte Nero, six miles south of Alfedena, Caprecotta, six miles north-west of Agfione, also Valcocchiaro, in the Campobasso province. Eighth Army artillery in the Castel di Sarigro area to-day heavily pounded the Germans, who were putting up stiff resistance. Brisk skirmisnes went on in the Alfedena area: Patrolling and sharp artillery exchanges continue on the Fifth Army front, where rain is pouring down. It is not likely that the stalemate on this front will be ended till the weather clears.