LULL IN ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 November 1943, Page 5

LULL IN ITALY

WRETCHED WEATHER

RUGBY, November li. Allied headquarters in North Africa state: “On the ground, very bad weather conditions continue to restrict operations of both the Filth and Eighth Armies. Patrol clashes took place and some enemy prisoners were captured.” Correspondents report no change in the front for three days in suecsssion. Everything has conti ibuteci to make the life of the soldier miserable. High winds were blowing and heavy rain made the mud even thicker. Bad weather extended all along the line, which at times was completely silent, with only occasional gun flashes and thunder. An enemy patrol which ventured acioss the Garigliano near the coast was badly shot uo and prisoners taken. North of Variafro, troops recovered some ground lost during enemy counter-attacks at Montecroce. The Eighth Army slightly improved its positions north of Atessa. Patrols clashed at Tornareccio, a mile from the Sangro River and 15 miles north of its source.

There has been little fighting in Italy, largely because of snow and mud. A correspondent says that the rivers are swollen and the rain-soak-ed land is studded with pools of water. Mist reduces visibility to a few thousand yards. “It is fantastic weather,” he says, “with only a few glimpses of the sun.” The Allies are having to fight hard for every bit of ground, says this correspondent, and nothing spectacular can be expected in the immediate future.

GAINING GROUND

(Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 17. The Algiers radio stated the stn Army has its claws in the German line and is gaining ground, though slowly. The Germans have a series of natural defence lines three to four miles deep. When prised out ol one position, they fall back a few hundred vards to the next natural defence The radio also reported that the Bth Army, after heavy fighting, hurled back ‘a German counter-attack m the Montazzoli area. A fighterbomber force which attacked tai gets in the battle area yesterday was one of the greatest ever used.

BADOGLIO’S CABINET

(Rec. 12.10 p.m.) LONDON Nov. 1/. The Associated Press in Southern Italy says that Badoglio’s new socalled technical Cabinet consists Oi himself as Prime Minister and Foieign Minister, Admiral de Courten Navy Minister, General Renato Sandalli, Air Minister and Under Secretaries for their posts, with power to act as Ministers until Rome is reached and a new Government formed. The Secretaries include General Orlando as Minister of War.

BALKAN PEACE MOVE? LONDON, November 17. Reuter’s Zurich correspondent quotes an unconfirmed report that immediately after the meeting of the Bulgarian Cabinet yesterday the Foreign Minister, Shishmanoff, flew to Budapest to discuss with Hungary the possibilities of joint peace action. It is pointed out that this report follows soon after the heavy Allied raid on Sofia.