PATROLS LIVEN UP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 3

PATROLS LIVEN UP

ITALIAN FRONT EIGHTH ARMY DRIVE? ALLIED AIR ONSLAUGHT (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (11 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 23. Although the rain has decreased slightly the battle area in Italy is still a sea of mud and the rivers are flooded. Little activity has been possible on any part of the front, says a communication from Allied Headquarters in Algiers. The United Nations’ radio in Algiers however, reports strong Eighth Army patrolling and some gains. A correspondent says all along the line the weather has cleared a little and contact is more brisk north-west of Agogne. Despite heavy artillery action the Allies advanced near Alfedena. In the Fifth Army area, aggressive patrols were made in tire vicinity of Montequiela. The Berlin radio stated that the Eighth Army, after an intense artillery preparation and with strong air support, launched the expected largescale offensive this morning. Fighting was very fierce all day but the enemy did not succeed in gaining any ground worth mentioning and suffered heavy losses. Fighting is continuing, added the announcer.

The Germans' “scorphed earth” tactics in Italy, which are designed to deny the Allies of winter shelter as well as military advantage, are being applied with such ruthlessness and contempt for civilian property that years will be needed to repair even part of the damage. Thousands of Italians are doomed to endure a freezing winter in the Appennines without shelter.

Intensive Bombing-

With better weather, Allied medium bombers struck hard at two important enemy supply lines in Italy, states a correspondent. Marauders, escorted by Lightning fighters, bombed the main line between Rome and Florence, 25 miles north-west of Terni. They caused considerable damage at Foligno. Many hits were scored on yards and locomotive repair shops. No enemy fighters were met. All the Marauders returned.

The target for the second blow was the railway bridge at Cecina, near Leghorn, on the west coast line bringing supplies from France to the German lines through Genoa and Rome. Several bombs landed squarely on the bridge and others fell in the railway yards nearby. When Civitavecchia was bombed direct hits were scored on chemical works, munition dumps and railway yards and a vessel in the harbour was damaged. Medium and light bombers, fighterbombers and fighters co-operated in strength with the army, especially in the Lanciano and Fossacesia areas, enemy strong-points being attacked. Many fires and explosions were seen. One Allied plane is missing.