INCREASED ACTIVITY

Evening Star, Issue 25034, 29 November 1943, Page 3

INCREASED ACTIVITY

IMPROVED WEATHER IH ITALY EIGHTH ARMY EXTENDS BRIDGEHEAD (ilea 10. 5 a.m.) RCGBY, Nov. 2S. Jlie improved weather conditions on the Eighth Army front have made passible increased activity,

says an Italian land communique. " Positions have been improved and supplies and reinforcements brought forward. Patrols are-active, also the artillery, Fuomy positions were repeatedly and accuratiey bombed by aircraft. The improvement in the weather has also resulted in increased activity in the Fifth Army area. Patrols probed enemy positions, and one point in the front' line was pushed forward two miles.''

An air communique states: " On November 27 the Kimimi railway yards and bridges were attacked by heavy bombers of the North-west African air force.'escorted by ' long-range fighters. Cinzano railway yards and a bridge over the Reno River were also attacked by heavy bombers. Porto Civvitanuova was bonubed by medium bombers and a small ship was sunk at Sinenik. Strong forces of medium and light bombers, fighter-bombers, and fighters attacked railway trucks, motor transport, and enemy positions north of the battlefront. During this and other' operations seven enemy aircraft were destroyed. Five of ours are missing. It is now known that during operations on Nov&miber 24 one enemy aircraft in addition to those already reported was destroyed." A navy communique says: " It has jiiet been learned that during daylight on Tuesdav last positions north of tho Gariglino River, in the Gulf of Gaeta, were successfully bomibarded by British destroyers. The return lire was ineffective."

ADVANCE ON AMERICAN SECTOR. The better weather has allowed the Eighth Army to improve and enlarge its bridgehead across the Sangro near tho coast, states a correspondent. The point at which our lines were pushed forward was not in this sector, he says, but in air American sector on the Fifth Army front north-west of Montaciuila. H'i-.e, despite stubborn enemy resistance, we occupied commanding heights on Lafalconara, which rises over 3,000 feet. All along this front there were sharp exchanges of artillery, mortar, and riflo fire.

Ou the Eighth Army front, some 15 miles inland, at A rein', there was heavy shelling of our positions. This enemy reaction was possibly due to the close vicinity of, our lines to the river, with tho Germans fearing the forcing of another crossing of the Sangro and the establishment of a new bridgehead, but it is more likely that they are concerned to see that we keep our distance at the point where a short advance would cut. the road five miles northwest of Archi.

In the centre of the Sangro front fires are raging' in the villages of Villa, Santa Maria, and Borrello. The destruction of these villages, the correspondent says, does not imply a general enemy withdrawal, but rather a short retirement to a better position.

. .Dealing with.,aix operations the correspondent saysi over 500 sorties were flown yesterday by strong forces of fighters and fighter-bombers in daylong attacks on the Lanciano-Casoli area- in support of tho Eighth Army consolidation of its bridgehead. On the Fifth Army front Invaders and Spitfires had the air to themselves, bombing and strafing almost at will. | CREEPING AIR BARRAGE Men and supplies are pouring across the Sangro, arid the Eighth Army's bridgehead is broadening and deepening steadily despite strong German resistance, says the British United Press Algiers correspondent. The bridgehead is expected soon to be 10 miles wide. The German artillery is putting up fierce opposition in an attempt to stem the Allies' advance. All German air assaults against the bridges were beaten off. Meanwhile Allied air attacks north of the Sangro are forming a creeping barrage, smashing at dug-in German positions. Creeping air barrages of this type softened the way for the original Eighth Army move across the Sangro. The British are massing reinforcements and supplies in the bridgehead ready for a new drive northward. Inland fighting is flaring up along the Sangro's upper reaches, notably in the Castel di Sangro area. There our men hold ground on three sides of the town. SPIRIT OF AGGRESSIVENESS. A correspondent says that our men are showing a marked spirit of aggressiveness, and the whole Allied line is very active. The Germans have reacted sharply, and at some points there is fairly heavy fighting. The increased activity has also extended to the Fifth Army front, where, the Americans in one place have advanced their line two miles.