POSITION CONSOLIDATED

Evening Star, Issue 25083, 26 January 1944, Page 5

POSITION CONSOLIDATED

GENERAL ALEXANDER PERSONALLY DIRECTED LANDING ' GOOD TANK COUNTRY AHEAD (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan 25. Router's military correspondent says the fact that the Allied bridgehead at Nettuno has been pushed to a depth of 12 miles is proof that the Allied position has now been consolidated in a wide area, the width_ of which is more than double that'distance. There is still no mention of any violent German reaction. . Every hour gained not only strengthens the bridgehead, but increases the , potentialities,for pffensive .action. A strong force of tanks could make rapid progress in this region, which is fairly level and well provided with roads.

The Associated Press Algiers corre-. spondent says General Alexander personally directed the Nettuno landing, then landed himself to' supervise the early operations ashore. French'troops on the Fifth Army front captured Mon Croce. The French repulsed many strong German counterattacks in this area. British troops on the Fifth Army front made a limited increase in their bridgehead on the Lower Garigliano. , # The Germans are withdrawing some of their troops' from the Garigliano front to meet the beachhead threat. Enemy counter-attacks on the_ Garigliano front have slackend off slightly. American patrols have recrossed the Rapido River. The German News Agency, quoting the first German correspondent to reach the Nettuno front, says when the enemy landed the flat beaches were defended only by weak German forces. They fought to the last man, but the enemy's numerical superiority was overwhelming.